Pearl fish
📖 Overview
Common species . Adults typically live as commensals in the gut of shallow-water holothurians, Holothuria tubulosa and Stichopus regalis (although some deep-water records exist, see Ref. 6347). Prejuveniles (tenuis larvae) probably inhabit the same host species while the vexillifer and egg-rafts are planktonic. The fish may partly protrude or entirely leave its host at night to feed on small fish and benthic invertebrates. Reproduction noted in July-September. .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 37 - 39. Eel-like, moderate to shallow body depth; cardiform teeth present but restricted to upper jaw symphysis; swim bladder constricted forming two chambers; lacking enlarged dentary or premaxillary fangs, dentary diastema, pelvic fins and swim bladder rockerbone . Possesses a free, movable maxilla .: eel-like; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Pearl fish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
It is not yet established whether spawning is seasonal or sporadic in carapids. Eggs elliptical and planktonic .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 150 m . Subtropical; 42°N - 15°S south to Ascension Island.
🌿 Ecology
small fish and benthic invertebrates
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Pearl fish · Pearlfish |
| 🌍CES | jehlička obecná |
| 🇩🇪German | Nadelfisch |
| 🌍ELL | Μαργαριτόψαρο |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | neulakala |
| 🇫🇷French | Aurin · Fierasfer |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Galiotto |
| 🌍MLT | Huta tal-hjar |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Karap europejski |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Peixe-perola-do-Atlântico |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Средиземноморский карапус |
| 🌍SLV | Strmorinec |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Rubioca |
| 🌍SQI | Bishtholla · peshku bishthollë |
| 🌍TUR | Akdeniz inci balığı · inci baligi |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? imberbis | Cuvier | 1815 | Synonym |
| Carapus birpex | Arnold | 1956 | Synonym |
| Carapus cuspis | Arnold | 1956 | Synonym |
| Carapus imberbis | Cuvier | 1815 | Synonym |
| Diaphasia acus | Brünnich | 1768 | Synonym |
| Encheliophis tenuis | Putnam | 1874 | Synonym |
| Fierasfer acus | Brünnich | 1768 | Synonym |
| Fierasfer fontanesii | Risso | 1810 | Synonym |
| Fierasfer imberbis | Cuvier | 1815 | Synonym |
| Fierasfer maculata | Swainson | 1839 | Synonym |
| Gymnotus acus | Brünnich | 1768 | Synonym |
| Notopterus fontanesii | Risso | 1810 | Synonym |
| Ophidium fierasfer | Risso | 1827 | Synonym |
| Ophidium imberbe | Cuvier | 1815 | Synonym |
| Porobronchus linearis | Kaup | 1860 | Synonym |
| Vexillifer dephilippii | Gasco | 1870 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 685 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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