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Sagami pearlfish (Encheliophis sagamianus) — Carapidae

Sagami pearlfish

Encheliophis sagamianus
Family: Carapidae

The Sagami pearlfish (Encheliophis sagamianus) is a saltwater fish of the family Carapidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Sagami pearlfish is a pearlfish (Carapidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a very slender, translucent, eel-like body without pectoral fins that tapers to a point at the rear. Remarkably it lives as an inhabitant inside the body of sea cucumbers, sheltering by day and emerging at night to hunt small crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sagami pearlfish?

The Sagami pearlfish has a snake-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Sagami pearlfish live?

The Sagami pearlfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Sagami pearlfish get?

The Sagami pearlfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Sagami pearlfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Sagami pearlfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sagami-parelvis sourced
English name
Sagami pearlfish sourced
Scientific name
Encheliophis sagamianus
Family
Carapidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 Encheliophis

More from the family Carapidae

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