Silver pearlfish
📖 Overview
This uncommon pearlfish inhabits the coelom and respiratory trees of some holothurians, especially Stichopus chloronotus and Holothuria argus. It is apparently in competition with Jordanicus gracilis [= Encheliophis gracilis] for its preferred host H. argus. Although most occur singly, there is a tendency towards sexual pairing inside the host. Found to depths over 30 m . Stomach contents which include amphipod, shrimp and fish indicate non-parasitic, foraging habits . Leaves host at night to prey on small fishes and shrimps (Ref 90102).
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 33 - 38; Anal soft rays: 53 - 61; Vertebrae: 116 - 128. Eel-like, moderate to shallow body depth; maxilla free and movable; cardiform teeth present; branchiostegal membranes partly or completely united; swim bladder with thin terminal membrane or bulb; lacking enlarged dentary or premaxillary fangs, dentary diastema, pelvic fins, and swim bladder rocker bone . : eel-like; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Silver pearlfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 0 - 30 m . Tropical; 25°N - 35°S east coast of Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Silvery Pearlfish · silver pearlfish |
| 🌍CES | jehlička stříbřitá |
| 🇫🇷French | Aurin argenté |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Tenaga-kakureuo · Tenagakakureuo · テナガカクレウオ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Peixe-perola-do-Indo-Pacífico |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 荷姆氏細隱魚 · 荷姆氏隱魚 · 長胸細潛魚 · 长胸细潜鱼 · 隱魚 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carapus homei | Richardson | 1846 | Synonym |
| Carapus neglectus | Peters | 1855 | Synonym |
| Echeliophis homei | Richardson | 1846 | Synonym |
| Fierasfer affinis | Günther | 1862 | Synonym |
| Fierasfer brandesu | Bleeker | 1851 | Synonym |
| Fierasfer homei | Richardson | 1846 | Synonym |
| Fierasfer neglectum | Peters | 1855 | Synonym |
| Oxybeles brandesii | Bleeker | 1851 | Synonym |
| Oxybeles homei | Richardson | 1846 | Synonym |
| Oxybelus brandesii | Bleeker | 1851 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 30 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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