Congiopodus spinifer (Smith, 1839)
Spinenose horsefish
photo by FAO

Family:  Congiopodidae (Racehorses or pigfishes)
Max. size:  45 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 50 - 500 m
Distribution:  Southeast Atlantic: Walvis Bay, Namibia to Natal, South Africa. Record from Mauritius is probably based on a specimen originating from South Africa (Ref. 33390).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 19-21; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-10. Adults brown and with irregular light spots, pale below; young pale brown and with irregular brown markings (Ref. 6626).
Biology:  Inhabits soft bottoms (Ref. 27121). Periodically sheds the outer keratinous layer of its skin (Ref. 27121). Flesh edible but rarely eaten (Ref. 6626).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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