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Long-tail tripodfish (Tripodichthys blochii) — Triacanthidae

Long-tail tripodfish

Tripodichthys blochii
Family: Triacanthidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Long-tail tripodfish (Tripodichthys blochii) is a saltwater fish of the family Triacanthidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The long-tail tripodfish is a tripodfish from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, silvery body with a long first dorsal spine and strong pelvic spines that together can form a 'tripod' on which it props itself on the bottom. As a bottom-dweller it lives over sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf to about 50 metres and searches for small benthic life and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Long-tail tripodfish?

The Long-tail tripodfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Long dorsal fin spine and pelvic spines that form a 'tripod'; bottom-propping fish

Where does the Long-tail tripodfish live?

The Long-tail tripodfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific

How big does the Long-tail tripodfish get?

The Long-tail tripodfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Long-tail tripodfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Long-tail tripodfish 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.

Is the Long-tail tripodfish edible?

The Long-tail tripodfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Long-tail tripodfish verified
Scientific name
Tripodichthys blochii
Family
Triacanthidae
Other names
Long-tail tripodfish; Tripodfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small benthic life and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-dwelling triplefin; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Long dorsal fin spine and pelvic spines that form a 'tripod'; bottom-propping fish sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Net fishing sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Tripodichthys

More from the family Triacanthidae

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