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Slopefish (Symphysanodon typus) — Symphysanodontidae

Slopefish

Symphysanodon typus

The Slopefish (Symphysanodon typus) is a saltwater fish of the family Symphysanodontidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
50.0–400.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Fiji, Guam, Indonesia, Micronesia, Palau and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The slopefish is a deep-reef fish (Symphysanodontidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 17 cm and has an elongate, pink to reddish body with a deeply forked tail and large eyes. As a dweller of deeper rock and reef slopes it often swims in loose schools above the bottom and hunts small zooplankton and small crustaceans in the water column. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slopefish?

The Slopefish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Slopefish live?

The Slopefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Oceania: Australia, Fiji, Guam, Indonesia, Micronesia, Palau and others

How big does the Slopefish get?

The Slopefish grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Slopefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Slopefish 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.

Is the Slopefish edible?

Yes, the Slopefish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Slopefish (Symphysanodon typus) — Symphysanodontidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Slopefish (Symphysanodon typus) — Symphysanodontidae — 3
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Slopefish (Symphysanodon typus) — Symphysanodontidae — 4
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Slopefish (Symphysanodon typus) — Symphysanodontidae — 5
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Slopefish sourced
Scientific name
Symphysanodon typus
Family
Symphysanodontidae
Other names
Insular shelf beauty; Aristocratic bunquelovely verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
50.0 verified
Max depth (m)
400.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Fiji, Guam, Indonesia, Micronesia, Palau and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 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 Symphysanodon

More from the family Symphysanodontidae

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