Home · Haemulidae · Longfin salema
Longfin salema (Xenichthys agassizii) — Haemulidae

Longfin salema

Xenichthys agassizii
Family: Haemulidae

The Longfin salema (Xenichthys agassizii) is a saltwater fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–18.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Galapagos Is.

Want the complete picture on the Longfin salema?

Get the app

Description

Agassiz' salema is a grunt (Haemulidae) from coastal and reef water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with fine yellow longitudinal lines and large eyes. As a social schooling fish it hovers above reef and rock and rises to snap zooplankton and small invertebrates in open water. It is locally a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longfin salema?

The Longfin salema has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Longfin salema live?

The Longfin salema lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. South America: Galapagos Is.

How big does the Longfin salema get?

The Longfin salema grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Longfin salema dangerous to humans?

No, the Longfin salema 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Longfin salema?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Longfin salema is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Longfin salema sourced
Scientific name
Xenichthys agassizii
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
White salema sourced

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
18.0 verified
Natural range
South America: Galapagos Is. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Xenichthys

More from the family Haemulidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Longfin salema?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Longfin salema is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Longfin salema? Get the app