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Spiny cockscomb (Alectrias benjamini) — Stichaeidae

Spiny cockscomb

Alectrias benjamini
Family: Stichaeidae

The Spiny cockscomb (Alectrias benjamini) is a saltwater fish of the family Stichaeidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–20.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Kuril Is.

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Description

The spiny cockscomb is an elongate prickleback (Stichaeidae) from cold, shallow coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an eel-like, green-brown body with a long, continuous dorsal fin bearing a row of short spinelets and a crest on the head. As a bottom-dweller it lives in the tidal zone among weed, stones and in pools and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spiny cockscomb?

The Spiny cockscomb has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Spiny cockscomb live?

The Spiny cockscomb lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Kuril Is.

How big does the Spiny cockscomb get?

The Spiny cockscomb grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Spiny cockscomb dangerous to humans?

No, the Spiny cockscomb 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

Spiny cockscomb (Alectrias benjamini) — Stichaeidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Unspecified, Institute of Marine Biology, Vladivostok (CC0)
Spiny cockscomb (Alectrias benjamini) — Stichaeidae — 3
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
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All data

Identification

English name
Spiny cockscomb sourced
Scientific name
Alectrias benjamini
Family
Stichaeidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Average length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green 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)
20.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: China, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Kuril Is. 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

More from the family Stichaeidae

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