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Spotted sand diver (Trichonotus setiger) — Trichonotidae

Spotted sand diver

Trichonotus setiger
Family: Trichonotidae

The Spotted sand diver (Trichonotus setiger) is a brackish-water fish of the family Trichonotidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
10.0–80.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Spotted sand diver is a sand diver (Trichonotidae) from shallow coastal water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 26 cm and has a very slender, elongate, translucent body with a pointed head and long dorsal and anal fins. It hovers by day above sand bottoms and hunts small zooplankton; when in danger it dives lightning-fast into the sand. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted sand diver?

The Spotted sand diver has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Spotted sand diver live?

The Spotted sand diver lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan and others

How big does the Spotted sand diver get?

The Spotted sand diver grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the Spotted sand diver dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted sand diver 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 Spotted sand diver edible?

Yes, the Spotted sand diver is commonly eaten.

More photos

Spotted sand diver (Trichonotus setiger) — Trichonotidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Spotted sand diver (Trichonotus setiger) — Trichonotidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Spotted sand diver (Trichonotus setiger) — Trichonotidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) craigjhowe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Spotted sand diver (Trichonotus setiger) — Trichonotidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Tsu Soo Tan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Spotted sand diver sourced
Scientific name
Trichonotus setiger
Family
Trichonotidae
Other names
Hairfin; Sand lance; Spotted sand diver; Spotted sand-diver; Blue-spotted sand-diver verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
80.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan and others 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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 Trichonotus

More from the family Trichonotidae

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