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Pink Wormfish (Microdesmus longipinnis) — Microdesmidae

Pink Wormfish

Microdesmus longipinnis
Family: Microdesmidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pink Wormfish (Microdesmus longipinnis) is a saltwater fish of the family Microdesmidae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
27 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–10.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The pink wormfish is a wormfish (family Microdesmidae) of the western Atlantic. The species reaches about 27 cm and has a strongly elongate, worm-like, pink to silvery body with a continuous fin margin. It lives in muddy coastal and estuarine habitats and burrows into shallow mud and sand bottoms. Its diet consists of small zooplankton and small invertebrates. Young fish sometimes occur in open water before adopting the bottom-dwelling habit. Because of its hidden habits the species is rarely seen. It is harmless to humans and of no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pink Wormfish?

The Pink Wormfish has a snake-like body, is mainly pink-purple and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Pink Wormfish live?

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

How big does the Pink Wormfish get?

The Pink Wormfish grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Pink Wormfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Pink Wormfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Pink Wormfish edible?

The Pink Wormfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roze wormvis sourced
English name
Pink Wormfish verified
Scientific name
Microdesmus longipinnis
Family
Microdesmidae
Other names
Pink wormfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not 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 Microdesmus

More from the family Microdesmidae

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