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Red spikefish (Triacanthodes anomalus) — Triacanthodidae

Red spikefish

Triacanthodes anomalus

The Red spikefish (Triacanthodes anomalus) is a saltwater fish of the family Triacanthodidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South)

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Description

The red spikefish is a spikefish (Triacanthodidae) from deeper coastal waters of the western Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky, reddish body with a pointed snout and a stout, lockable first dorsal spine. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and mud bottoms of the continental margin and snaps at small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Red spikefish?

The Red spikefish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Red spikefish live?

The Red spikefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South)

How big does the Red spikefish get?

The Red spikefish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Red spikefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Red spikefish 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.

More photos

Red spikefish (Triacanthodes anomalus) — Triacanthodidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — 丘崈 (CC0)
Red spikefish (Triacanthodes anomalus) — Triacanthodidae — 3
Yuko Takigawa (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Red spikefish (Triacanthodes anomalus) — Triacanthodidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — タウナギ (CC0)
Red spikefish (Triacanthodes anomalus) — Triacanthodidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — (Temminck and Schlegel) (Public domain) [illustratie]
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All data

Identification

English name
Red spikefish sourced
Scientific name
Triacanthodes anomalus
Family
Triacanthodidae
Other names
Spikefish; Tripodfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South) sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
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. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Triacanthodes

More from the family Triacanthodidae

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