Home · Polynemidae · Blue bobo
Blue bobo (Polydactylus approximans) — Polynemidae

Blue bobo

Polydactylus approximans
Family: Polynemidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue bobo (Polydactylus approximans) is a brackish-water fish of the family Polynemidae that grows up to 37 cm.

Length
36.8 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
10.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Pacific threadfin (Polydactylus approximans), or blue bobo, is a threadfin of the family Polynemidae from the eastern Pacific. The species has a streamlined, silvery body, a blunt snout with a ventral mouth and, characteristic of threadfins, several separate, thread-like lower pectoral rays that serve as feelers to locate prey on the bottom in turbid water. It reaches about 37 cm and lives in shallow coastal water on sand and mud bottoms; young larvae are pelagic and sometimes occur far offshore, while larger fish prefer bays and estuaries. The diet consists of crustaceans and small fishes. The species is fished commercially.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue bobo?

The Blue bobo has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blue bobo live?

The Blue bobo lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Blue bobo get?

The Blue bobo grows to a maximum of about 37 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Blue bobo dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue bobo is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue bobo edible?

Yes, the Blue bobo is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pacifische vingervis sourced
English name
Blue bobo verified
Scientific name
Polydactylus approximans
Family
Polynemidae
Other names
Blue bobo; Pacific threadfin verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
36.8 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 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 Polydactylus

More from the family Polynemidae

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