Fin's Fish Guide
The Prowfish (Zaprora silenus) is a saltwater fish of the family Zaproridae that grows up to 88 cm.
Description
The prowfish is a remarkable bottom fish from the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 88 cm and has a deep, compressed, blue-grey body with a blunt, high head studded with pores and no pelvic fins. As a bottom-dweller it lives around rocky reefs and on soft bottoms of the continental shelf to about 675 metres and feeds mainly on jellyfish and other gelatinous plankton. Juveniles sometimes shelter among the tentacles of large jellyfish. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Prowfish?
The Prowfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Deep blunt head with pores; feeds mainly on jellyfish; juveniles shelter with jellyfish
Where does the Prowfish live?
The Prowfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North Pacific
How big does the Prowfish get?
The Prowfish grows to a maximum of about 88 cm. On average the species is around 43 cm.
Is the Prowfish dangerous to humans?
No, the Prowfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.
Is the Prowfish edible?
The Prowfish is not usually eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Want the complete picture on the Prowfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Prowfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.