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Banded wriggler (Xenisthmus polyzonatus) — Xenisthmidae

Banded wriggler

Xenisthmus polyzonatus
Family: Xenisthmidae

The Banded wriggler (Xenisthmus polyzonatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Xenisthmidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
9.0–24.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The banded wriggler is a wriggler (Xenisthmidae) from shallow coral-reef and rubble water around Australia and the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, elongate body with numerous fine crossbars. As a hidden bottom-dweller it shelters among coral rubble, stones and in small holes and snaps at small crustaceans and invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded wriggler?

The Banded wriggler has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Banded wriggler live?

The Banded wriggler lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Banded wriggler get?

The Banded wriggler grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Banded wriggler dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded wriggler is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bandeer-wriemelaar sourced
English name
Banded wriggler sourced
Scientific name
Xenisthmus polyzonatus
Family
Xenisthmidae
Other names
Barred wriggler; Bullseye wriggler verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
9.0 verified
Max depth (m)
24.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Xenisthmidae

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