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Eastern pomfred (Schuettea scalaripinnis) — Monodactylidae

Eastern pomfred

Schuettea scalaripinnis

The Eastern pomfred (Schuettea scalaripinnis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Monodactylidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
10.0–30.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The eastern pomfred is a moonyfish relative (Monodactylidae) from coastal and estuarine water of eastern Australia. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a deep, silvery, strongly compressed body with yellow tones on the fins. It swims in schools in bays, estuaries and above shallow reefs and eats small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Eastern pomfred?

The Eastern pomfred has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Eastern pomfred live?

The Eastern pomfred lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Eastern pomfred get?

The Eastern pomfred grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Eastern pomfred dangerous to humans?

No, the Eastern pomfred 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

Eastern pomfred (Schuettea scalaripinnis) — Monodactylidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Erik Schlögl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Eastern pomfred (Schuettea scalaripinnis) — Monodactylidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Erik Schlögl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Eastern pomfred (Schuettea scalaripinnis) — Monodactylidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) divercraig, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Eastern pomfred (Schuettea scalaripinnis) — Monodactylidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) deblee5, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Eastern pomfred sourced
Scientific name
Schuettea scalaripinnis
Family
Monodactylidae
Other names
Eastern pomfred; Ladder-finned pomfret verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. 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 Monodactylidae

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