New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌿 Sustainable Seafood ⚡ Omega-3 Rankings 🔬 Mercury Safety 🏆 World Records 🎣 Fishing Licenses
API Docs
Get API Key →
🌊 Marine Least Concern ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Poisonous to eat 🌡️ Deep-water

Freckled tilefish

Branchiostegus sawakinensis Amirthalingam, 1969
← All Species
Max Length
60 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.6
Depth
45–180 m
Climate
Deep-water
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
52.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
deep-water

📖 Overview

Occurs in the continental shelf . Found over muddy bottoms . Considered poisonous by local fishers in the Red Sea and thus are generally discarded .

Scientific Name
Branchiostegus sawakinensis
Authority
Amirthalingam, 1969
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Deep-water
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
60 cm
Depth Range
45–180 m
Trophic Level
3.6
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
52.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 12. Pinkish brown above, white below; caudal fin with 2 horizontal stripes; red spot on outer base of pectoral fins and black spot in axil .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Freckled tilefish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 45 - 180 m . Deep-water West Pacific: Red Sea and off Durban, South Africa.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌑 Deep Water ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.6±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00708 × L3.07 (TL)
Max TL
60cm
Dorsal Spines
7
Dorsal Rays
15
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
12

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2024

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
52.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.6
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Deep-water
Described By
Amirthalingam, 1969

⚠️ Venom Profile

Medical Warning: This species is venomous. Seek immediate medical attention if envenomated. Contact emergency services and follow first aid guidance below.
Venom Type
proteinaceous neurotoxin
Delivery
dorsal, anal, and pelvic fin spines
Potency
Severe
Mortality Risk
Low
Symptom Onset
5min
Duration
24.0hrs
Antivenom
✗ Not Available
Named Toxins
high-molecular-weight protein (Stonustoxin analogue) acetylcholine
Symptoms
  • immediate intense pain
  • swelling
  • erythema
  • occasional nausea and weakness
Affected Body Systems
peripheral nervous system cardiovascular
First Aid
Immerse affected area in hot water (45 C, tolerable) for 30-90 minutes to denature toxin. Do not apply ice.
Medical Treatment

Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.

References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Freckled tilefish ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.