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Deepwater cardinalfish (Epigonus constanciae) — Epigonidae

Deepwater cardinalfish

Epigonus constanciae
Family: Epigonidae

The Deepwater cardinalfish (Epigonus constanciae) is a saltwater fish of the family Epigonidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
19.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
160.0–742.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The deepwater cardinalfish is a small perch-like fish of the family Epigonidae (deepwater cardinalfishes) reaching about 20 cm. The slender, brown-silver body has conspicuously large eyes and a large mouth, adaptations to the gloom of the deep sea. The species lives above the deeper continental slope of the eastern Atlantic. It probably follows the daily up-and-down migration of the plankton and feeds on small zooplankton, shrimp-like crustaceans and small fish. Because of its small size and deep lifestyle it has no fishery value and is only rarely seen; records come mainly from deep-sea research and bycatch.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepwater cardinalfish?

The Deepwater cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Deepwater cardinalfish live?

The Deepwater cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Deepwater cardinalfish get?

The Deepwater cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Deepwater cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Deepwater cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Deepwater cardinalfish edible?

The Deepwater cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Diepwater-kardinaalbaars inferred
English name
Deepwater cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Epigonus constanciae
Family
Epigonidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Open water verified
Min depth (m)
160.0 verified
Max depth (m)
742.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. 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 Epigonus

More from the family Epigonidae

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