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Searcher (Bathymaster signatus) — Bathymasteridae

Searcher

Bathymaster signatus

The Searcher (Bathymaster signatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Bathymasteridae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–825.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North Pacific; soft bottoms further offshore.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The searcher is a ronquil (Bathymasteridae) from the northern Pacific. The species has an elongate body with a large head and a long dorsal and anal fin. Adults live further offshore on soft bottoms and deeper than related ronquils. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small crustaceans, worms and other invertebrates that it finds on the soft bottom. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Searcher?

The Searcher has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Oblong body with a long fin fringe; bottom forager of deeper soft bottoms in the northern Pacific Ocean.

Where does the Searcher live?

The Searcher lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North Pacific; soft bottoms further offshore.

How big does the Searcher get?

The Searcher grows to a maximum of about 38 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Searcher dangerous to humans?

No, the Searcher is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Searcher edible?

The Searcher is not usually eaten.

More photos

Searcher (Bathymaster signatus) — Bathymasteridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Susan Wise-Eagle, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Searcher (Bathymaster signatus) — Bathymasteridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) lhoffman211, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Searcher verified
Scientific name
Bathymaster signatus
Family
Bathymasteridae
Other names
Searcher verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
38.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
825.0 verified
Natural range
North Pacific; soft bottoms further offshore. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and other invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
9.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Oblong body with a long fin fringe; bottom forager of deeper soft bottoms in the northern Pacific Ocean. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Bathymaster

More from the family Bathymasteridae

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