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Blue knifefish (Labracoglossa nitida) — Kyphosidae

Blue knifefish

Labracoglossa nitida
Family: Kyphosidae

The Blue knifefish (Labracoglossa nitida) is a saltwater fish of the family Kyphosidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–? m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The blue knifefish is a perch-like fish (Microcanthidae) from coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a streamlined, blue-silver body with yellowish accents and a forked tail. As a fast schooling fish it swims in open water above rocky reefs and picks zooplankton from the current. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue knifefish?

The Blue knifefish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Blue knifefish live?

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

How big does the Blue knifefish get?

The Blue knifefish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Blue knifefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue knifefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwe mesvis sourced
English name
Blue knifefish sourced
Scientific name
Labracoglossa nitida
Family
Kyphosidae
Other names
Blue knifefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 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 Labracoglossa

More from the family Kyphosidae

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