New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine Least Concern 🌡️ Tropical

Sailfin velifer

Velifer hypselopterus Bleeker, 1879
Max Length
40 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.5
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
-
Vulnerability
21.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Sailfin velifer (Velifer hypselopterus) is a ray-finned fish of the family Veliferidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 40 cm. 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.

Scientific Name
Velifer hypselopterus
Authority
Bleeker, 1879
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
40 cm
Trophic Level
3.5
Vulnerability
21.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 1 - 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 33 - 34; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 24 - 25. : short and / or deep.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Sailfin velifer is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Sailfin velifer is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Sailfin velifer is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 110 m . Tropical West Pacific: taken off southern Madagascar and also reported from India, Viet Nam and Japan.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.5±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01995 × L3.01 (TL)
Max TL
40cm
Dorsal Spines
2
Dorsal Rays
34
Anal Spines
1
Anal Rays
25

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
21.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Bleeker, 1879

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Velifer africanus Smith 1953 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Sailfin velifer ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.