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Snailfish (Agonopsis chiloensis) — Agonidae

Snailfish

Agonopsis chiloensis
Family: Agonidae

The Snailfish (Agonopsis chiloensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Agonidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–400.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeast Pacific off Chile; sandy and gravel bottoms.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Chilean poacher is a poacher (Agonidae) from the southeastern Pacific off the coast of Chile. The species has an elongate body entirely enclosed by rows of bony, keeled plate scales, a flattened head and small barbels. It lives as a bottom dweller on sand and gravel bottoms of the continental shelf. With its inferior mouth it searches the bottom for small crustaceans, worms and other invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Snailfish?

The Snailfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Body entirely enclosed by bony plate scales; bottom forager of the Chilean coast.

Where does the Snailfish live?

The Snailfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southeast Pacific off Chile; sandy and gravel bottoms.

How big does the Snailfish get?

The Snailfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Snailfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Snailfish edible?

The Snailfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Snailfish (Agonopsis chiloensis) — Agonidae — 2
Eileen Westwig, NHM (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — NHMO
Snailfish (Agonopsis chiloensis) — Agonidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) pichilloron, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Snailfish (Agonopsis chiloensis) — Agonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) ivan_herrera_munoz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Snailfish (Agonopsis chiloensis) — Agonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Gonzalo Bravo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Snailfish verified
Scientific name
Agonopsis chiloensis
Family
Agonidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
400.0 verified
Natural range
Southeast Pacific off Chile; sandy and gravel bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Body entirely enclosed by bony plate scales; bottom forager of the Chilean coast. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. 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 Agonopsis

More from the family Agonidae

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