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Boarfish (Pentaceropsis recurvirostris) — Pentacerotidae

Boarfish

Pentaceropsis recurvirostris

The Boarfish (Pentaceropsis recurvirostris) is a saltwater fish of the family Pentacerotidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–260.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The longsnout boarfish is a boarfish (Pentacerotidae) from the temperate coastal waters of southern Australia. The species has a deep, strongly laterally compressed, silvery body with dark bands and a conspicuous, elongated snout, to which the name refers. It occurs on the continental shelf, most commonly at less than 40 m, near rocky reefs. With its long snout it picks brittle stars, bristleworms and bryozoans from the bottom. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Boarfish?

The Boarfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Boarfish live?

The Boarfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Boarfish get?

The Boarfish grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Boarfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Boarfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Boarfish edible?

The Boarfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langsnuit-everzwijnvis sourced
English name
Boarfish verified
Scientific name
Pentaceropsis recurvirostris
Family
Pentacerotidae
Other names
Boarfish; Duckfish; Long nose; Long nose boarfish; Longsnout boarfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
260.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Pentacerotidae

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