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Spotfin surfperch (Hyperprosopon anale) — Embiotocidae

Spotfin surfperch

Hyperprosopon anale
Family: Embiotocidae

The Spotfin surfperch (Hyperprosopon anale) is a saltwater fish of the family Embiotocidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–101.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The spotfin surfperch is a surfperch (Embiotocidae) from the surf zone and shallow coastal waters of the eastern Pacific off North America. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, shiny silver body with a dark spot on the anal fin. Remarkably it is livebearing: the female gives birth to fully formed young. As a schooling fish it swims in the water column and snaps at small crustaceans and invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotfin surfperch?

The Spotfin surfperch has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Spotfin surfperch live?

The Spotfin surfperch lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Spotfin surfperch get?

The Spotfin surfperch grows to a maximum of about 20 cm. On average the species is around 14 cm.

Is the Spotfin surfperch dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotfin surfperch is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spitsstaart-brandingbaars sourced
English name
Spotfin surfperch sourced
Scientific name
Hyperprosopon anale
Family
Embiotocidae
Other names
Spotfin surfperch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Average length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
101.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hyperprosopon

More from the family Embiotocidae

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