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Golden six-thread tasselfish (Polydactylus sexfilis) — Polynemidae

Golden six-thread tasselfish

Polydactylus sexfilis
Family: Polynemidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Golden six-thread tasselfish (Polydactylus sexfilis) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Polynemidae that grows up to 61 cm.

Length
61 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
1.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The sixfinger threadfin, known in Hawaii as moi, is a threadfin from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 61 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with a blunt snout and six separate, thread-like lower pectoral rays with which it feels over the bottom for food in turbid water. It schools in the turbulent surf zone and estuaries and hunts small crustaceans, worms and fish. It is a highly valued food and farmed fish. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden six-thread tasselfish?

The Golden six-thread tasselfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Six thread-like pectoral fin rays for feeling the bottom; surf-zone dweller

Where does the Golden six-thread tasselfish live?

The Golden six-thread tasselfish lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific

How big does the Golden six-thread tasselfish get?

The Golden six-thread tasselfish grows to a maximum of about 61 cm.

Is the Golden six-thread tasselfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Golden six-thread tasselfish 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 Golden six-thread tasselfish edible?

Yes, the Golden six-thread tasselfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Golden six-thread tasselfish (Polydactylus sexfilis) — Polynemidae — 2
Pitassy, Diane E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Golden six-thread tasselfish (Polydactylus sexfilis) — Polynemidae — 3
Pitassy, Diane E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Golden six-thread tasselfish (Polydactylus sexfilis) — Polynemidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Martin Purdy, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Golden six-thread tasselfish (Polydactylus sexfilis) — Polynemidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Spike Pike, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Golden six-thread tasselfish verified
Scientific name
Polydactylus sexfilis
Family
Polynemidae
Other names
Golden sixthread tesselfish; Kingfish; Moi threadfin; Pacific threadfin; Pacific thread-fin fish; Sixfinger threadfin; Six-fingered threadfin; Sixfeeler threadfin; Threadfin; Six-feeler threadfin; Tasselfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
61.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and small fishes inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Protandrous (male first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Schooling surf beardfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Six thread-like pectoral fin rays for feeling the bottom; surf-zone dweller sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Nets and handlines 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

Same genus Polydactylus

More from the family Polynemidae

Fin

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