Natal duckbill (Bembrops platyrhynchus)

Scientific name: Bembrops platyrhynchus Alcock, 1894

The Natal duckbill (Bembrops platyrhynchus) is a marine fish of the family Percophidae. Native range: Indo-West Pacific, including the Bay of Bengal, the South China Sea, the Philippine Sea, the Tasman Sea, and off the coast of Somalia and South Africa.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 15 - 16. Vague dusky spots along body, 1 on caudal fin at base of upper rays; scales edged with black; 1st dorsal fin dusky to black in color. Distal margin of first dorsal fin darkish. Usually 5 scale rows between lateral line and origin of anal fin (Ref 12932).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Bembrops platyrhynchus
Family: Percophidae (Duckbills)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 25.0
Depth range: 200–549 m (656–1801 ft)
Environment: Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 200 - 549 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: including the Bay of Bengal, the South China Sea, the Philippine Sea, the Tasman Sea, and off the coast of Somalia and South Africa.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026