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Angel fish (Hydrolagus colliei) — Chimaeridae

Angel fish

Hydrolagus colliei
Family: Chimaeridae
LC · Least Concern

The Angel fish (Hydrolagus colliei) is a saltwater fish of the family Chimaeridae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–913.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The spotted ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei) is a chimaera of the family Chimaeridae from the northeastern Pacific, related to sharks and rays. The species has a smooth, silvery-brown body with white spots, large pectoral fins, large eyes and a tapering, rat-like tail, and reaches about one metre. It lives near the bottom, from just offshore to over 900 metres deep, and is abundant in cold water at moderate depths. The diet consists of mollusks, crustaceans, fishes, echinoderms and worms. In front of the dorsal fin it bears a venomous spine that can cause a painful wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Angel fish?

The Angel fish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Angel fish live?

The Angel fish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Angel fish get?

The Angel fish grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Angel fish dangerous to humans?

The Angel fish can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Angel fish edible?

The Angel fish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rattenvis sourced
English name
Angel fish verified
Scientific name
Hydrolagus colliei
Family
Chimaeridae
Other names
Chimaera; Elephant fish; Ratfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not 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
Can cause injury sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hydrolagus

More from the family Chimaeridae

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