Home · Chironemidae · Eastern kelpfish
Eastern kelpfish (Chironemus marmoratus) — Chironemidae

Eastern kelpfish

Chironemus marmoratus
Family: Chironemidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Eastern kelpfish (Chironemus marmoratus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chironemidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The eastern kelpfish is a bottom fish from the southwest Pacific, off southeastern Australia. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a stocky, brown-mottled body with large, thick pectoral fins on which it props itself on the bottom. As a dweller of rocky reefs and kelp forests in shallow water it rests still among vegetation and snaps at small crustaceans, molluscs and worms. The fish is harmless to humans and has little commercial value. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Eastern kelpfish?

The Eastern kelpfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Eastern kelpfish live?

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

How big does the Eastern kelpfish get?

The Eastern kelpfish grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Eastern kelpfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Eastern kelpfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Eastern kelpfish edible?

The Eastern kelpfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Oostelijke kelpvis verified
English name
Eastern kelpfish verified
Scientific name
Chironemus marmoratus
Family
Chironemidae
Other names
Hiwihiwi; Kelpfish; Large kelpfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chironemus

More from the family Chironemidae

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