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Argentine thornfish (Bovichtus argentinus) — Bovichtidae

Argentine thornfish

Bovichtus argentinus
Family: Bovichtidae

The Argentine thornfish (Bovichtus argentinus) is a saltwater fish of the family Bovichtidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Argentine thornfish is a thornfish (Bovichtidae) from cool coastal waters of coastal waters of southern South America. The species grows to about 15-30 cm and has a stocky body with a broad, flattened head, large, fan-shaped pectoral fins and a brown-mottled, scale-poor body. As a bottom-dweller it perches among rocks and weed of the surf and tide pools and seizes small crustaceans, molluscs and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Argentine thornfish?

The Argentine thornfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Argentine thornfish live?

The Argentine thornfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Argentine thornfish get?

The Argentine thornfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Argentine thornfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Argentine thornfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Argentijnse doornvis sourced
English name
Argentine thornfish sourced
Scientific name
Bovichtus argentinus
Family
Bovichtidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
30 inferred
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Bovichtus

More from the family Bovichtidae

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