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Bombay duck (Harpadon nehereus) — Synodontidae

Bombay duck

Harpadon nehereus
Family: Synodontidae
NT · Near Threatened

The Bombay duck (Harpadon nehereus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Synodontidae that grows up to 61 cm.

Length
61 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
50.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Bombay duck is a lizardfish relative (Synodontidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a soft, translucent body with a large mouth full of fine, needle-sharp teeth. For most of the year it lives near the bottom on sandy mud offshore; in the rainy season it gathers in large numbers near river mouths. As a predator it takes small fishes and shrimps. It is an important commercial food fish, often dried. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bombay duck?

The Bombay duck has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Bombay duck live?

The Bombay duck lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Bombay duck get?

The Bombay duck grows to a maximum of about 61 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Bombay duck dangerous to humans?

No, the Bombay duck is harmless to humans.

Is the Bombay duck edible?

Yes, the Bombay duck is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bombay-eend sourced
English name
Bombay duck verified
Scientific name
Harpadon nehereus
Family
Synodontidae
Other names
Bombay duck; Bombay duck (India) verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
61.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
50.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Harpadon

More from the family Synodontidae

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