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Sailfin poacher (Podothecus sachi) — Agonidae

Sailfin poacher

Podothecus sachi
Family: Agonidae

The Sailfin poacher (Podothecus sachi) is a saltwater fish of the family Agonidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–269.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The sailfin poacher is a large poacher (Agonidae) from cold coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a bony-plated, elongate, brownish body with a high first dorsal fin, a pointed snout and barbels under the chin. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sailfin poacher?

The Sailfin poacher has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Sailfin poacher live?

The Sailfin poacher lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Sailfin poacher get?

The Sailfin poacher grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Sailfin poacher dangerous to humans?

No, the Sailfin poacher is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zeilvin-pantserkop sourced
English name
Sailfin poacher sourced
Scientific name
Podothecus sachi
Family
Agonidae
Other names
Snail-fin poacher verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
269.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Podothecus

More from the family Agonidae

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