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Gnomefish (Scombrops boops) — Scombropidae

Gnomefish

Scombrops boops
Family: Scombropidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Gnomefish (Scombrops boops) is a saltwater fish of the family Scombropidae that grows up to 150 cm.

Length
150 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–400.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The gnomefish is a near-bottom predator from the Indo-West and adjacent Pacific. The species grows to about 150 cm and has an elongate, dark body with very large eyes and a large mouth with sharp teeth. As a nocturnal hunter it lives over rocky bottoms of the deeper continental shelf and slope, between about 20 and 400 metres, and hunts fish and squid. It is a valued food fish. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gnomefish?

The Gnomefish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly black and shows a plain pattern. Very large eyes and sharp teeth; nocturnal deeper-water predator

Where does the Gnomefish live?

The Gnomefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Indo-West Pacific

How big does the Gnomefish get?

The Gnomefish grows to a maximum of about 150 cm.

Is the Gnomefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Gnomefish 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.

Is the Gnomefish edible?

Yes, the Gnomefish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Gnomefish (Scombrops boops) — Scombropidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Gnomefish (Scombrops boops) — Scombropidae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Gnomefish (Scombrops boops) — Scombropidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Georgina Jones, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Gnomefish (Scombrops boops) — Scombropidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) kuroshio, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Gnomefish verified
Scientific name
Scombrops boops
Family
Scombropidae
Other names
Gnomefish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
400.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and squid inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Nocturnal deeper-water predator; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Very large eyes and sharp teeth; nocturnal deeper-water predator sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Handlines and longlines sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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
Fin

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