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Cream fish (Meuschenia scaber) — Monacanthidae

Cream fish

Meuschenia scaber
Family: Monacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cream fish (Meuschenia scaber) is a saltwater fish of the family Monacanthidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
31 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The velvet leatherjacket is a filefish (Monacanthidae) from the temperate waters of New Zealand and southeastern Australia. The species has a deep, laterally compressed body with a rough, velvety skin and a stout, lockable first dorsal spine. It inhabits rocky, weedy areas from the shore to at least 60 m deep. It is usually solitary but can gather in groups of ten to fifteen. It feeds on small invertebrates and growth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cream fish?

The Cream fish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Cream fish live?

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

How big does the Cream fish get?

The Cream fish grows to a maximum of about 31 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Cream fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Cream fish is harmless to humans.

Is the Cream fish edible?

The Cream fish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Fluweel-vijlvis sourced
English name
Cream fish verified
Scientific name
Meuschenia scaber
Family
Monacanthidae
Other names
Creamfish; Cosmopolitan leatherjacket; Leatherjacket; Scaber leatherjacket; Smooth leatherjacket verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy 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)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 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
Rarely 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
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Meuschenia

More from the family Monacanthidae

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