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Nares' monkfish (Lophiodes naresi) — Lophiidae

Nares' monkfish

Lophiodes naresi
Family: Lophiidae

The Nares' monkfish (Lophiodes naresi) is a saltwater fish of the family Lophiidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
180.0–460.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Papua New Guinea, Admiralty Is., Philippines

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Description

Nares' monkfish is a deepwater goosefish (Lophiidae) of the continental slope in the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a flattened, broad body with a very large, toothed mouth and a small rod on the head bearing a lure. As a motionless ambush hunter it rests on the bottom of the deep slope and engulfs any passing prey it lures to its mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Nares' monkfish?

The Nares' monkfish has an irregular in shape body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Nares' monkfish live?

The Nares' monkfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia, Papua New Guinea, Admiralty Is., Philippines

How big does the Nares' monkfish get?

The Nares' monkfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Nares' monkfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Nares' monkfish 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.

More photos

Nares' monkfish (Lophiodes naresi) — Lophiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Nares' monkfish (Lophiodes naresi) — Lophiidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — R. Mintern (Public domain)
Nares' monkfish (Lophiodes naresi) — Lophiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Nares' monkfish (Lophiodes naresi) — Lophiidae — 5
K. Graham, NSW Fisheries (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Nares' monkfish sourced
Scientific name
Lophiodes naresi
Family
Lophiidae
Other names
Fishing-frog; Goosefish; Challenger monkfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
180.0 verified
Max depth (m)
460.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Papua New Guinea, Admiralty Is., Philippines sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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 Lophiodes

More from the family Lophiidae

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