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Weber's spinejaw (Owstonia weberi) — Cepolidae

Weber's spinejaw

Owstonia weberi
Family: Cepolidae

The Weber's spinejaw (Owstonia weberi) is a saltwater fish of the family Cepolidae that grows up to 52 cm.

Length
52 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
183.0–350.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania

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Description

The Weber's spinejaw is a spinejaw bandfish (Owstoniidae) of sand and mud bottoms of the continental slope in the deep Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, laterally compressed, reddish body with large eyes and long dorsal and anal fins. As a bottom-oriented fish of deeper water it hovers just above the sediment and snaps at small plankton and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Weber's spinejaw?

The Weber's spinejaw has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Weber's spinejaw live?

The Weber's spinejaw lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania

How big does the Weber's spinejaw get?

The Weber's spinejaw grows to a maximum of about 52 cm.

Is the Weber's spinejaw dangerous to humans?

No, the Weber's spinejaw 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Weber's spinejaw sourced
Scientific name
Owstonia weberi
Family
Cepolidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
52.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
183.0 verified
Max depth (m)
350.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania 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
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 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 Owstonia

More from the family Cepolidae

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