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Brown-spotted boarfish (Paristiopterus gallipavo) — Pentacerotidae

Brown-spotted boarfish

Paristiopterus gallipavo

The Brown-spotted boarfish (Paristiopterus gallipavo) is a saltwater fish of the family Pentacerotidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
60.0–260.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The yellowspotted boarfish is a fish of the armorhead family (Pentacerotidae) from the temperate waters around southern Australia. The species grows to about one metre and has a deep, laterally compressed, greyish body with an elongated, snout-like mouth and, in juveniles, yellow spots. The body and head are covered with rough, bony plates. It lives on the continental shelf and slope, on rocky and soft bottoms. As a bottom searcher it picks small invertebrates, crustaceans and worms from the bottom with its elongated snout. The species is a local bycatch and food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brown-spotted boarfish?

The Brown-spotted boarfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Brown-spotted boarfish live?

The Brown-spotted boarfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Brown-spotted boarfish get?

The Brown-spotted boarfish grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Brown-spotted boarfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Brown-spotted boarfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Brown-spotted boarfish edible?

Yes, the Brown-spotted boarfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geelvlek-everzwijnvis sourced
English name
Brown-spotted boarfish verified
Scientific name
Paristiopterus gallipavo
Family
Pentacerotidae
Other names
Giant boarfish; Yellowspotted boarfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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 Paristiopterus

More from the family Pentacerotidae

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