Rhinoprenes pentanemus Munro, 1964
Threadfin scat
Rhinoprenes pentanemus
photo by CSIRO

Family:  Ephippidae (Spadefishes, batfishes and scats)
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Papua New Guinea to northern Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-20; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 16-17. Body deep and compressed, quadrangular in outline. Mouth small and inferior. Second dorsal spine, fourth pectoral ray, and first pelvic ray greatly prolonged into free filaments which reach tail base or beyond. First dorsal-fin spine, fourth pectoral-fin ray, and first pelvic-fin ray greatly elongated filaments, reaching to or beyond vertical line at rear end of dorsal-and anal-fin bases. Head naked. Mouth inferior, the snout and upper jaw projecting in front of lower jaw (Ref 43039).
Biology:  Feeds on algae and sewage (Ref. 4537).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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