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🌊 Marine 🌡️ Tropical

African blackspot threadfin

Polydactylus malagasyensis Motomura & Iwatsuki, 2001
Max Length
14.9 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.5
Depth
5–62 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
12.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

African blackspot threadfin (Polydactylus malagasyensis) is a ray-finned fish of the family Polynemidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 14.9 cm. It occurs at depths between 5 and 62 metres. With a trophic level of 3.5, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms.

Scientific Name
Polydactylus malagasyensis
Authority
Motomura & Iwatsuki, 2001
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Max Length
14.9 cm
Depth Range
5–62 m
Latitude
35°S – 1°N
Trophic Level
3.5
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
12.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12; Vertebrae: 24. With 6 pectoral filaments; uppermost not reaching to (or extending slightly beyond) posterior tip of pectoral fin. Pectoral fin, rays long, 21-26% of SL; fin base long, 10-12% of SL; all rays branched except uppermost 1 or 2. Second dorsal spine long, 7-9% of SL. Well-developed swim bladder. A large black spot anteriorly on lateral line .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for African blackspot threadfin 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; brackish; demersal; depth range 5 - 62 m . Tropical; 1°N - 35°S, 25°E - 51°E South Africa, and Madagascar.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.5±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01738 × L3.05 (TL)
Max TL
14.9cm
Dorsal Spines
9
Dorsal Rays
13
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
12
Vertebrae
24

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
12.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
1°N – 35°S
Described By
Motomura & Iwatsuki, 2001

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English African blackspot threadfin · sixfinger threadfin
🌍AFR sesvinger-draadvin
🌍CES smuhovec africký
🇫🇷French barbure tâche noire d'Afrique
🇵🇹Portuguese barbudo de mancha
🇪🇸Spanish barbudo mancha negra Africano

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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