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Munro's sandfish (Crapatalus munroi) — Leptoscopidae

Munro's sandfish

Crapatalus munroi
Family: Leptoscopidae

The Munro's sandfish (Crapatalus munroi) is a saltwater fish of the family Leptoscopidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–18.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Munro's sandfish is a sandfish (Leptoscopidae) from shallow sandy water around southern Australia and New Zealand. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate body with an upturned mouth and high-set eyes, so it can lurk almost fully buried on the bottom. As an ambush predator it waits under the sand and snaps at passing small crustaceans and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Munro's sandfish?

The Munro's sandfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Munro's sandfish live?

The Munro's sandfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Munro's sandfish get?

The Munro's sandfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Munro's sandfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Munro's sandfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Munros zandvis sourced
English name
Munro's sandfish sourced
Scientific name
Crapatalus munroi
Family
Leptoscopidae
Other names
Pink sandfish; Robust pygmy stargazer; Robust pygmy-stargazer; Stargazing sandfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
18.0 verified
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

More from the family Leptoscopidae

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