Home · Neoceratiidae · Spiny seadevil
Spiny seadevil (Neoceratias spinifer) — Neoceratiidae

Spiny seadevil

Neoceratias spinifer
Family: Neoceratiidae

The Spiny seadevil (Neoceratias spinifer) is a saltwater fish of the family Neoceratiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–1200.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Hawaii

Want the complete picture on the Spiny seadevil?

Get the app

Description

The spiny seadevil is a rare deep-sea anglerfish (Neoceratiidae) from the bathypelagic zone of the ocean. The female grows to about 6 cm, has a black, scaleless body and lacks the lure that characterises other seadevils; instead, mobile, outward-pointing teeth stand on the jaws. In the dark deep sea it seizes passing prey. The dwarf males live parasitically attached to the female. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spiny seadevil?

The Spiny seadevil has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly black.

Where does the Spiny seadevil live?

The Spiny seadevil lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Hawaii

How big does the Spiny seadevil get?

The Spiny seadevil grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Spiny seadevil dangerous to humans?

No, the Spiny seadevil 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Spiny seadevil?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Spiny seadevil is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Spiny seadevil sourced
Scientific name
Neoceratias spinifer
Family
Neoceratiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Black 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)
1200.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Hawaii sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
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
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Spiny seadevil?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Spiny seadevil is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Spiny seadevil? Get the app