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Freckled soapfish (Rypticus bistrispinus) — Serranidae

Freckled soapfish

Rypticus bistrispinus
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Freckled soapfish (Rypticus bistrispinus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; sandy bottoms with scattered rocks.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The freckled soapfish is a small grouper-relative of the family Serranidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky, brownish body with fine pale freckles and a smooth, slimy skin. It is a solitary species inhabiting sandy bottoms strewn with rocks and is rarely seen on reefs. Like other soapfishes the skin secretes a bitter, soap-like toxin (grammistin) when disturbed that deters predators; for this reason the species is not eaten. As a small predator it hunts small fishes and crustaceans. When handled it is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Freckled soapfish?

The Freckled soapfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Smooth, slimy skin that releases a soapy toxin (grammistin) when disturbed; inedible.

Where does the Freckled soapfish live?

The Freckled soapfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic and Caribbean; sandy bottoms with scattered rocks.

How big does the Freckled soapfish get?

The Freckled soapfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Freckled soapfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Freckled soapfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Freckled soapfish edible?

The Freckled soapfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Freckled soapfish (Rypticus bistrispinus) — Serranidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Williams, J. T.; Carpenter, K. E.; Van Tassell, J. L.; Hoetjes, P.; Toller, W.; Etnoyer, P.; Smith, M. (CC BY 2.5)
Freckled soapfish (Rypticus bistrispinus) — Serranidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Mikie Green, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Freckled soapfish (Rypticus bistrispinus) — Serranidae — 4
Mikie Green (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Freckled soapfish (Rypticus bistrispinus) — Serranidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC. (Public domain)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Freckled soapfish verified
Scientific name
Rypticus bistrispinus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Freckled Soapfish; Freckled soapfish; Soapfish; Two-spined soapfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; sandy bottoms with scattered rocks. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Smooth, slimy skin that releases a soapy toxin (grammistin) when disturbed; inedible. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Rypticus

Soapfish (Rypticus subbifrenatus) — Serranidae
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Serranidae
 Whitespotted soapfish (Rypticus maculatus) — Serranidae
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 Plain soapfish (Rypticus randalli) — Serranidae
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 Mottled soapfish (Rypticus bicolor) — Serranidae
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Serranidae
 Blackfin soapfish (Rypticus nigripinnis) — Serranidae
Blackfin soapfish
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Serranidae

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Fin

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