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Sharpbeak terapon (Rhynchopelates oxyrhynchus) — Terapontidae

Sharpbeak terapon

Rhynchopelates oxyrhynchus
Family: Terapontidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Sharpbeak terapon (Rhynchopelates oxyrhynchus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Terapontidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Rhynchopelates oxyrhynchus is a grunter (family Terapontidae) of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate, laterally compressed body with a markedly pointed snout and usually dark longitudinal bands on a pale background. It lives in coastal waters, estuaries and brackish water and is often found in river mouths. Its diet consists of invertebrates and small fishes. Grunters can produce sounds with their swim bladder. In this species the male guards and fans the eggs. In Japan the species is fished and also cultured. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sharpbeak terapon?

The Sharpbeak terapon has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Sharpbeak terapon live?

The Sharpbeak terapon lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Sharpbeak terapon get?

The Sharpbeak terapon grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Sharpbeak terapon dangerous to humans?

No, the Sharpbeak terapon is harmless to humans.

Is the Sharpbeak terapon edible?

Yes, the Sharpbeak terapon is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spitssnuit-tijgervis sourced
English name
Sharpbeak terapon verified
Scientific name
Rhynchopelates oxyrhynchus
Family
Terapontidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked sourced
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met klein natuurlijk aas in estuaria en riviermondingen. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Terapontidae

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