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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Pugjaw wormfish

Cerdale floridana Longley, 1934
Max Length
9 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.5
Depth
0–30 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
-
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Pugjaw wormfish (Cerdale floridana) is a ray-finned fish of the family Microdesmidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in reef-associated environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 9 cm. It occurs at depths between 0 and 30 metres. With a trophic level of 3.5, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Commercially fished and consumed as food.

Scientific Name
Cerdale floridana
Authority
Longley, 1934
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
9 cm
Depth Range
0–30 m
Trophic Level
3.5
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Pugjaw wormfish is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Pugjaw wormfish 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; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 30 m . Tropical occurs throughout the Caribbean, Florida, Bahamas and Bermuda.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.5±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00389 × L3.12 (TL)
Max TL
9cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2014

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Longley, 1934

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Pugjaw wormfish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Pugjaw wormfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Pugjaw wormfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Pugjaw wormfish
🇵🇹Portuguese Peixe-lombriga-da-Flórida

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Microdesmus floridana Longley 1934 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 16 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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