Home · Harpagiferidae · Crested spiny plunderfish
Crested spiny plunderfish (Harpagifer palliolatus) — Harpagiferidae

Crested spiny plunderfish

Harpagifer palliolatus
NE · Not Evaluated

The Crested spiny plunderfish (Harpagifer palliolatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Harpagiferidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–22.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The crested spiny plunderfish is a small Antarctic fish from the subantarctic waters around South Georgia and surrounding islands. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a stocky body with a large head and spines on the gill cover. As a bottom-dweller it stays among stones in shallow, icy coastal water; the male guards the egg clutch. It feeds on small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Crested spiny plunderfish?

The Crested spiny plunderfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Crested spiny plunderfish live?

The Crested spiny plunderfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Crested spiny plunderfish get?

The Crested spiny plunderfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Crested spiny plunderfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Crested spiny plunderfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Crested spiny plunderfish edible?

The Crested spiny plunderfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gekraagde plunderaarsvis verified
English name
Crested spiny plunderfish verified
Scientific name
Harpagifer palliolatus
Family
Harpagiferidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
22.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Harpagifer

More from the family Harpagiferidae

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