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Dragon poacher (Percis japonica) — Agonidae

Dragon poacher

Percis japonica
Family: Agonidae

The Dragon poacher (Percis japonica) is a saltwater fish of the family Agonidae that grows up to 42 cm.

Length
42 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
19.0–750.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Japan, Korea (South), Russia, Alaska

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Description

The dragon poacher is a large poacher (Agonidae) from cold coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 42 cm and has a bony-plated, red-brown body with a large, angular head set with spines and projections. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and snaps at small crustaceans, molluscs and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dragon poacher?

The Dragon poacher has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Dragon poacher live?

The Dragon poacher lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Japan, Korea (South), Russia, Alaska

How big does the Dragon poacher get?

The Dragon poacher grows to a maximum of about 42 cm.

Is the Dragon poacher dangerous to humans?

No, the Dragon poacher is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Dragon poacher (Percis japonica) — Agonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) sergeymakeev, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dragon poacher (Percis japonica) — Agonidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Iconographia Zoologica (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Dragon poacher sourced
Scientific name
Percis japonica
Family
Agonidae
Other names
Dragon poacher verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
42.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
19.0 verified
Max depth (m)
750.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Japan, Korea (South), Russia, Alaska sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Agonidae

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