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North-pacific argentine (Argentina sialis) — Argentinidae

North-pacific argentine

Argentina sialis
Family: Argentinidae
LC · Least Concern

The North-pacific argentine (Argentina sialis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Argentinidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
11.0–325.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeast Pacific; above the continental shelf.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Pacific argentine is an argentine (Argentinidae) from the northeastern Pacific. The species has a slender, silvery body with large eyes and a small mouth. It lives epipelagically to mesopelagically and forms schools over the continental shelf. It feeds on small zooplankton and small invertebrates. It is an important prey fish and is often found in the stomachs of rockfishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the North-pacific argentine?

The North-pacific argentine has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender silvery body with large eyes; schooling argentine and important prey fish.

Where does the North-pacific argentine live?

The North-pacific argentine lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northeast Pacific; above the continental shelf.

How big does the North-pacific argentine get?

The North-pacific argentine grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the North-pacific argentine dangerous to humans?

No, the North-pacific argentine is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the North-pacific argentine edible?

The North-pacific argentine is rarely eaten.

More photos

North-pacific argentine (Argentina sialis) — Argentinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Camille Ayrea, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
North-pacific argentine (Argentina sialis) — Argentinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jeremy_Jodoin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
North-pacific argentine (Argentina sialis) — Argentinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Jeremy_Jodoin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
North-pacific argentine (Argentina sialis) — Argentinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Lauren Martin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
North-pacific argentine verified
Scientific name
Argentina sialis
Family
Argentinidae
Other names
Pacific argentine verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
11.0 verified
Max depth (m)
325.0 verified
Natural range
Northeast Pacific; above the continental shelf. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
5.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Slender silvery body with large eyes; schooling argentine and important prey fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Argentina

More from the family Argentinidae

Fin

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