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Tommyfish (Limnichthys polyactis) — Creediidae

Tommyfish

Limnichthys polyactis
Family: Creediidae

The Tommyfish (Limnichthys polyactis) is a saltwater fish of the family Creediidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–6.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: New Zealand

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Description

The tommyfish is a small sandburrower (Creediidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, pale, partly translucent body with high-set eyes. As a bottom-dweller it often lies buried up to the eyes in sand bottoms near reefs and from there snaps at passing small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tommyfish?

The Tommyfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Tommyfish live?

The Tommyfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: New Zealand

How big does the Tommyfish get?

The Tommyfish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Tommyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Tommyfish 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

Tommyfish (Limnichthys polyactis) — Creediidae — 2
lcolmer (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Tommyfish sourced
Scientific name
Limnichthys polyactis
Family
Creediidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
6.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: New Zealand 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 Limnichthys

More from the family Creediidae

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