Fin's Fish Guide
The Slender snipefish (Macroramphosus gracilis) is a saltwater fish of the family Centriscidae that grows up to 15 cm.
Worldwide in warm and temperate seas, including the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, in open water above the continental slope.
Description
The slender snipefish is a small, strikingly shaped fish of the family Centriscidae reaching about 15 cm. The laterally compressed body is reddish to silver and tapers in front into a long, thin, tube-like snout with a small mouth at the tip. It closely resembles the longspine snipefish but is more slender and has a shorter, less robust dorsal spine; some researchers regard both as colour forms of one species. The slender snipefish occurs worldwide in warm and temperate seas, including the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, often in schools above the continental slope. With its tubular snout it sucks up small zooplankton. Because of its small size it has no commercial value.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Slender snipefish?
The Slender snipefish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Small fish with a long, thin tube-shaped snout and a small mouth at the tip; more slender than the common snipefish, with a shorter dorsal spine.
Where does the Slender snipefish live?
The Slender snipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Worldwide in warm and temperate seas, including the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, in open water above the continental slope.
How big does the Slender snipefish get?
The Slender snipefish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.
Is the Slender snipefish dangerous to humans?
No, the Slender snipefish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Slender snipefish edible?
The Slender snipefish is not usually eaten.
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All data
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Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
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Status & sources
Same genus Macroramphosus
More from the family Centriscidae
Want the complete picture on the Slender snipefish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Slender snipefish is one of 12,519 species in the app.