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Headstripe prettyfin (Plesiops cephalotaenia) — Plesiopidae

Headstripe prettyfin

Plesiops cephalotaenia
Family: Plesiopidae

The Headstripe prettyfin (Plesiops cephalotaenia) is a saltwater fish of the family Plesiopidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–12.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Palau and others

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Description

The Headstripe prettyfin is a prettyfin (Plesiopidae) from shallow rocky and coral-reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, dark body with fine light spots and conspicuously large, rounded dorsal, anal and pelvic fins. As a nocturnal, shy bottom-dweller it shelters deep in crevices and caves by day and hunts small crustaceans and small fish at night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Headstripe prettyfin?

The Headstripe prettyfin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Headstripe prettyfin live?

The Headstripe prettyfin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Palau and others

How big does the Headstripe prettyfin get?

The Headstripe prettyfin grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Headstripe prettyfin dangerous to humans?

No, the Headstripe prettyfin 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Headstripe prettyfin sourced
Scientific name
Plesiops cephalotaenia
Family
Plesiopidae
Other names
Headstripe longfin sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
12.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Palau and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Plesiops

More from the family Plesiopidae

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