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Beardfish (Polymixia lowei) — Polymixiidae

Beardfish

Polymixia lowei
Family: Polymixiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Beardfish (Polymixia lowei) is a saltwater fish of the family Polymixiidae that grows up to 29 cm.

Length
29.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
50.0–600.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Beardfish is a beardfish (Polymixiidae) of the continental slope in the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a stocky, silvery body with large eyes and a pair of long chin barbels with which it feels over the bottom. As a bottom-oriented fish of the deep water it searches for small crustaceans, worms and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Beardfish?

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

Where does the Beardfish live?

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

How big does the Beardfish get?

The Beardfish grows to a maximum of about 29 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Beardfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Beardfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Beardfish edible?

The Beardfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Lowe's baarddraadvis sourced
English name
Beardfish sourced
Scientific name
Polymixia lowei
Family
Polymixiidae
Other names
Beardfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
29.4 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
50.0 verified
Max depth (m)
600.0 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
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 Polymixia

More from the family Polymixiidae

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