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Dusky reef brotula (Diancistrus fuscus) — Bythitidae

Dusky reef brotula

Diancistrus fuscus
Family: Bythitidae

The Dusky reef brotula (Diancistrus fuscus) is a saltwater fish of the family Bythitidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–20.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The dusky reef brotula is a livebearing brotula (Bythitidae) from shallow reef and rocky water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky, dark-brown body with long, confluent dorsal and anal fins and small eyes. As a shy, nocturnal fish it hides deep in coral crevices, holes and under stones and snaps at small crustaceans. It gives birth to live young. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dusky reef brotula?

The Dusky reef brotula has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Dusky reef brotula live?

The Dusky reef brotula lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Dusky reef brotula get?

The Dusky reef brotula grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Dusky reef brotula dangerous to humans?

No, the Dusky reef brotula is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Donkere rifbrotula sourced
English name
Dusky reef brotula sourced
Scientific name
Diancistrus fuscus
Family
Bythitidae
Other names
Dusky brotulid sourced

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
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 Bythitidae

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