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Sixline prickleback (Ernogrammus hexagrammus) — Stichaeidae

Sixline prickleback

Ernogrammus hexagrammus
Family: Stichaeidae

The Sixline prickleback (Ernogrammus hexagrammus) is a saltwater fish of the family Stichaeidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–142.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Japan, Korea (South), Russia

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Description

The sixline prickleback is an elongate prickleback (Stichaeidae) from cold coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an eel-like, brownish body with a long, continuous dorsal fin and six dark longitudinal lines along the flank. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among stones and weed of intertidal zones and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sixline prickleback?

The Sixline prickleback has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Sixline prickleback live?

The Sixline prickleback lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China, Japan, Korea (South), Russia

How big does the Sixline prickleback get?

The Sixline prickleback grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Sixline prickleback dangerous to humans?

No, the Sixline prickleback 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

Sixline prickleback (Ernogrammus hexagrammus) — Stichaeidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) mitsuki1337, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Sixline prickleback sourced
Scientific name
Ernogrammus hexagrammus
Family
Stichaeidae
Other names
Six-lined prickleback sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
142.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: China, Japan, Korea (South), Russia 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 Ernogrammus

More from the family Stichaeidae

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