Inimicus caledonicus
Demon Stingerfish | Bearded Ghoul | Caledonian Devilfish | Caledonian Stinger | Chinese Ghoul
Inimicus caledonicus, Photo: Tom DavisSimilar Species
Same Genus
Distribution
Tropical Indo-Pacific
Description
Tassled and mottled brown, sits motionless on bottom, and is very well camouflaged. Distinguished from other Inimicus species (Stingerfishes) by pattern on underside of pectoral fin - a dark band through the middle section. Pectoral fin underside of I. didactylus (Longsnout Stingerfish) has dark base, while that of I. sinensis is dark with pale blotches. Venomous spines on back.
Information
Max Size: 25 cm
Sea Temperature Range: 20.9-30.3°C
Depth: 15-60m
Habitat Generalization Index: N/A
Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.
Conservation and Rarity
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence: Widespread (50% of sites)
Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed
Abundance: Few (2 per transect)
Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.
Edit by: Joe Shields