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Snyder's gaper (Champsodon snyderi) — Champsodontidae

Snyder's gaper

Champsodon snyderi

The Snyder's gaper (Champsodon snyderi) is a saltwater fish of the family Champsodontidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–370.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Korea (South), New Caledonia

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Description

The Snyder's gaper is a gaper (Champsodontidae) from sandy and muddy bottoms of the continental slope in the northwest Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, semi-translucent body with a large, upward-slanted mouth, high-set eyes and spiny head and gill-cover plates. As a bottom-oriented ambush hunter of deeper water it snaps at small crustaceans and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Snyder's gaper?

The Snyder's gaper has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Snyder's gaper live?

The Snyder's gaper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Korea (South), New Caledonia

How big does the Snyder's gaper get?

The Snyder's gaper grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Snyder's gaper dangerous to humans?

No, the Snyder's gaper 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Snyder's gaper sourced
Scientific name
Champsodon snyderi
Family
Champsodontidae
Other names
Snyder's gaper; Bentooth verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
370.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Korea (South), New Caledonia 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 Champsodon

More from the family Champsodontidae

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