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🌊 Marine 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Orbfish

Ephippus orbis Bloch, 1787
Max Length
25 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4
Depth
10–30 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
29.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Overview information for Orbfish is currently being compiled by our editorial team.

Scientific Name
Ephippus orbis
Authority
Bloch, 1787
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Max Length
25 cm
Depth Range
10–30 m
Trophic Level
4
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
29.00/100
Migration
Amphidromous
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19 - 20; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 15 - 17. Head and body silvery blue-green. Four or 5 faint dark blue bars often visible on body. Fins dusky. Body orbicular and strongly compressed, its depth more than twice length of head. Eye above horizontal axis through mouth. Mouth small, the maxilla not reaching past vertical at front edge of eye. Jaws with bands of slender, incisiform teeth with a single lanceolate cusp. No teeth on palatines or vomer. Preopercle distinctly serrate, with a broad naked margin. Opercle without spines (Ref 43039).: short and / or deep.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Orbfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Orbfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Orbfish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; amphidromous ; depth range 10 - 30 m . Tropical West Pacific: Persian Gulf to Natal, South Africa, eastward to India and Lesser Sunda Island, Indonesia, north to Japan (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Migration
Amphidromous
Trophic Level
4±0.61
Food Items

benthic invertebrates and fishes (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.02818 × L2.94 (TL)
Max TL
25cm
Dorsal Spines
9
Dorsal Rays
20
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
16

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
29.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
4
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Bloch, 1787

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Orbfish 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

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.9 g
Omega-3 (total) 119 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Orbfish 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

👥 Community & Contribute

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