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Blackfin slatey (Diagramma melanacrum) — Haemulidae

Blackfin slatey

Diagramma melanacrum
Family: Haemulidae

The Blackfin slatey (Diagramma melanacrum) is a saltwater fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–40.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The blackfin slatey is a grunt or sweetlips (Haemulidae) from the western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 45 cm; juveniles are white with black longitudinal stripes, adults grey with dark fins. As a bottom-oriented predator it lives around coral and rocky reefs and on adjacent sand flats and hunts mainly at night for small crustaceans, worms and small fish. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackfin slatey?

The Blackfin slatey has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Blackfin slatey live?

The Blackfin slatey lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Blackfin slatey get?

The Blackfin slatey grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Blackfin slatey dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackfin slatey is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackfin slatey edible?

Yes, the Blackfin slatey is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartvin-zoetlip sourced
English name
Blackfin slatey sourced
Scientific name
Diagramma melanacrum
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
Blackfin sweetlips; Black-foot sweetlips; Blacktip sweetlips verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Diagramma

More from the family Haemulidae

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