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Tripterodon orbis Playfair, 1867 African spadefish |
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photo by
Marine Science and Fisheries Centre, Muscat |
| Family: | Ephippidae (Spadefishes, batfishes and scats) | |||
| Max. size: | 75 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 40 - 70 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indian Ocean: southern Africa to Algoa Bay, South Africa; to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including India and Sri Lanka. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-21; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 15-17. Silvery brown; with dark crossbands that disappear with growth (Ref. 5327). | |||
| Biology: | Inhabits coastal waters around reefs (Ref. 30573). Feeds on rock and coral-dwelling organisms (Ref. 5213). Flesh edible (Ref. 12484). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||