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Hutchin's boarfish (Parazanclistius hutchinsi) — Pentacerotidae

Hutchin's boarfish

Parazanclistius hutchinsi

The Hutchin's boarfish (Parazanclistius hutchinsi) is a saltwater fish of the family Pentacerotidae that grows up to 34 cm.

Length
34 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–80.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Temperate waters of southern Australia; continental shelf.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Hutchins's boarfish is a boarfish (Pentacerotidae) from the temperate waters of southern Australia. The species has a deep, strongly laterally compressed body with a stout, bony-armoured head and tall, spiny fins. It lives on the continental shelf, usually near rocky or hard bottoms. As a bottom predator it feeds on small invertebrates and crustaceans. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hutchin's boarfish?

The Hutchin's boarfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Deep body with a bony armoured head and tall spiny fins; bottom fish of the shelf.

Where does the Hutchin's boarfish live?

The Hutchin's boarfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Temperate waters of southern Australia; continental shelf.

How big does the Hutchin's boarfish get?

The Hutchin's boarfish grows to a maximum of about 34 cm.

Is the Hutchin's boarfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Hutchin's boarfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Hutchin's boarfish edible?

The Hutchin's boarfish is rarely eaten.

More photos

Hutchin's boarfish (Parazanclistius hutchinsi) — Pentacerotidae — 2
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Hutchin's boarfish (Parazanclistius hutchinsi) — Pentacerotidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) RAD KI, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hutchin's boarfish (Parazanclistius hutchinsi) — Pentacerotidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Hutchin's boarfish (Parazanclistius hutchinsi) — Pentacerotidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) cr1970, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Hutchin's boarfish verified
Scientific name
Parazanclistius hutchinsi
Family
Pentacerotidae
Other names
Short boarfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
34.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
80.0 verified
Natural range
Temperate waters of southern Australia; continental shelf. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Deep body with a bony armoured head and tall spiny fins; bottom fish of the shelf. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Pentacerotidae

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