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Alcock's scorpionfish (Minous inermis) — Synanceiidae

Alcock's scorpionfish

Minous inermis
Family: Synanceiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Alcock's scorpionfish (Minous inermis) is a saltwater fish of the family Synanceiidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
18.0–420.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Alcock's stingfish is a small bottom fish from the Indian Ocean, from Somalia and the Gulf of Oman to India, Myanmar and western Thailand. The species grows to about 14 cm and has a stocky, lumpy body with a large head and free, finger-like lower pectoral fin rays with which it feels over the bottom. The species name 'inermis' (unarmed) refers to the fact that, unlike many related stingfishes, it is not recorded as venomous. As a bottom-dweller it lives on soft bottoms between about 18 and 420 metres. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Alcock's scorpionfish?

The Alcock's scorpionfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Alcock's scorpionfish live?

The Alcock's scorpionfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Alcock's scorpionfish get?

The Alcock's scorpionfish grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Alcock's scorpionfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Alcock's scorpionfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Alcock's scorpionfish edible?

The Alcock's scorpionfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Alcocks stekelpoon verified
English name
Alcock's scorpionfish verified
Scientific name
Minous inermis
Family
Synanceiidae
Other names
Longfin stingfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Minous

More from the family Synanceiidae

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