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Sturgeon poacher (Podothecus accipenserinus) — Agonidae

Sturgeon poacher

Podothecus accipenserinus
Family: Agonidae

The Sturgeon poacher (Podothecus accipenserinus) is a saltwater fish of the family Agonidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
30.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–710.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North Pacific; soft bottoms.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The sturgeon poacher is a poacher (Agonidae) from the northern Pacific. The species has an elongate body entirely armoured with bony plates, a pointed snout and a cluster of barbels under the chin. It lives bottom-bound on soft bottoms. With its barbels and downward-pointing mouth it forages the sediment for worms, crustaceans and small fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sturgeon poacher?

The Sturgeon poacher has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Body entirely armoured with bony plates, with chin barbels; bottom forager.

Where does the Sturgeon poacher live?

The Sturgeon poacher lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North Pacific; soft bottoms.

How big does the Sturgeon poacher get?

The Sturgeon poacher grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.

Is the Sturgeon poacher dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Sturgeon poacher edible?

The Sturgeon poacher is not usually eaten.

More photos

Sturgeon poacher (Podothecus accipenserinus) — Agonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Liam Singh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sturgeon poacher (Podothecus accipenserinus) — Agonidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) kaylener, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sturgeon poacher (Podothecus accipenserinus) — Agonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Erica, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sturgeon poacher (Podothecus accipenserinus) — Agonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) jnnnnn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Sturgeon poacher verified
Scientific name
Podothecus accipenserinus
Family
Agonidae
Other names
Sturgeon poacher; Sturgeon-like sea-poacher verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy 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)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
710.0 verified
Natural range
North Pacific; soft bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Worms, crustaceans and small fishes 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 armoured with bony plates, with chin barbels; bottom forager. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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 Podothecus

More from the family Agonidae

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