Orbfish
📖 Overview
Orbfish (Ephippus orbis), first described by Bloch, 1787 is a medium-sized fish in the family Ephippidae (order Acanthuriformes). Adults typically reach 25.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 10 to 30 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. Diet is predominantly piscivorous, targeting other fish and larger prey. The species is important as a food fish. As a member of the Ephippidae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 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
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 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
benthic invertebrates and fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Orbfish is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ 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
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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