Home · Plesiopidae · Whiskered prettyfin
Whiskered prettyfin (Plesiops mystaxus) — Plesiopidae

Whiskered prettyfin

Plesiops mystaxus
Family: Plesiopidae

The Whiskered prettyfin (Plesiops mystaxus) is a saltwater fish of the family Plesiopidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–8.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Comoros, Israel, Madagascar, Mauritius, Oman, Egypt and others

Want the complete picture on the Whiskered prettyfin?

Get the app

Description

The Whiskered prettyfin is a prettyfin (Plesiopidae) from shallow rocky and coral-reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, dark body with fine light spots and conspicuously large, rounded dorsal, anal and pelvic fins. As a nocturnal, shy bottom-dweller it shelters deep in crevices and caves by day and hunts small crustaceans and small fish at night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Whiskered prettyfin?

The Whiskered prettyfin has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Whiskered prettyfin live?

The Whiskered prettyfin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Comoros, Israel, Madagascar, Mauritius, Oman, Egypt and others

How big does the Whiskered prettyfin get?

The Whiskered prettyfin grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Whiskered prettyfin dangerous to humans?

No, the Whiskered prettyfin 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 Whiskered prettyfin?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Whiskered prettyfin sourced
Scientific name
Plesiops mystaxus
Family
Plesiopidae
Other names
Moustache longfin sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
8.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Comoros, Israel, Madagascar, Mauritius, Oman, Egypt and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
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 Plesiops

More from the family Plesiopidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Whiskered prettyfin?

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

Get the app →
Is this the Whiskered prettyfin? Get the app