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Congiopodus spinifer (Smith, 1839) Spinenose horsefish |
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photo by
FAO |
| Family: | Congiopodidae (Racehorses or pigfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 45 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range 50 - 500 m | |||
| Distribution: | Southeast Atlantic: Walvis Bay, Namibia to Natal, South Africa. Record from Mauritius is probably based on a specimen originating from South Africa (Ref. 33390). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 19-21; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-10. Adults brown and with irregular light spots, pale below; young pale brown and with irregular brown markings (Ref. 6626). | |||
| Biology: | Inhabits soft bottoms (Ref. 27121). Periodically sheds the outer keratinous layer of its skin (Ref. 27121). Flesh edible but rarely eaten (Ref. 6626). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2017 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||