Quillfish

Ptilichthys goodei

Quillfish

Thin as a quill and bright in colour, the quillfish is a long, ribbonlike North Pacific fish that comes to the surface at night and burrows into mud or sand in deeper water by day. Slender enough to be swallowed whole, one has even been recovered from the stomach of a coho salmon.

Taxonomy: Animalia › Chordata › Teleostei › Perciformes › Ptilichthyidae › Ptilichthys

Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 282508.

FAQ

How deep does the Quillfish live?
The Quillfish (Ptilichthys goodei) is typically found at 0–360 m.
Is the Quillfish dangerous to divers?
The Quillfish is harmless to divers.
How big does the Quillfish get?
The Quillfish grows to about 40 cm.