spotted soapfish
Rypticus subbifrenatus
Small soapfish of tide pools and shallow reefs, with many dark spots on the head and body. It reaches 18 cm, lives hidden and is almost never of interest to the angler.
Also called: badejo-sabão, jaboncillo punteado, jabonero punteado, spotted soapfish
- maximum
- 18 cm
- depth
- 1–2 m
who is the spotted soapfish
Fish of the family Grammistidae, reaching 18 cm. It occurs in the western Atlantic, the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico and the coast of Central America, and also in Brazil, in clear tropical waters. It lives from 1 to 26 m, but is most common between 1 and 2 m, in tide pools, among coral rubble, on isolated reefs and in shallow reef areas with spurs and grooves, and sometimes on vertical walls. It is solitary, and adults prefer clearer waters than juveniles. There is a record of commercial fishing. Brazilian populations still need study to confirm whether they are really this species.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the spotted soapfish.
fun facts
- Lives alone, and adults prefer clearer waters than juveniles.
identification
Fusiform body, with the lower jaw slightly protruding past the upper. The mark of the species is the many dark spots on the head and trunk, generally well defined, round or elongated, one or more the size of the pupil or larger. Between the eyes there are usually two pairs of spots, sometimes joined into a band. The pectoral and tips of the soft dorsal, caudal and anal fins are light brown to brown. The belly and tail generally have no spots.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
It occurs in the western Atlantic, the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, on the coast of Mexico, Central America and Venezuela. In Brazil there are records from Paraíba to Rio de Janeiro, but Brazilian populations still need study to confirm the species' identity.
Habitat: Tide pools, coral rubble and shallow reefs, 1 to 26 m deep, most common between 1 and 2 m.
coast
rules for the spotted soapfish
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
Harmless to the angler. Like soapfish in general, it releases a bitter mucus through its skin, so wash your hands afterwards and do not keep it in the same bucket as other live fish.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01148, b = 3.06; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Rypticus subbifrenatus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Rypticus subbifrenatusNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: Rypticus subbifrenatus no Brasil (nomes e faixa de ocorrência)Popular name in Brazil (badejo-sabão), with a range from Paraíba to Rio de Janeiro. The species' own sheet notes that Brazilian populations need study to confirm whether they are R. subbifrenatus or another species not yet described.
- scientific GBIF: registros de Rypticus subbifrenatus no BrasilMuseum records and observations in PI, RN, PE, BA, ES and RJ, on the northeastern and southeastern coast. The coastline was inferred from these records because the species' sheet does not list a coastline; the identity of the Brazilian populations is still uncertain.