Black eelpout

📖 Overview

Black eelpout (Lycodes diapterus) is a ray-finned fish of the family Zoarcidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in deep-water environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 33 cm. It occurs at depths between 146 and 844 metres. With a trophic level of 3.4, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 109 - 118; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 99 - 109; Vertebrae: 118 - 126. This species is distinguished by the following: with scales covering the nape and the entire postorbital dorsal surface of the head (in adults 15.0 cm SL and larger): it differs from L. beringi in having higher counts of dorsal-fin ray (usually 111 or more), anal-fin ray (usually 100 or more), vertebral (usually 119 or more), and gill raker (usually 15 or more); differs from L. hubbsi in having 19-21 pectoral-fin rays (vs. 20-23), position of the first dorsal-fin pterygiophore at the sixth or seventh interneural gap (vs. third), and color pattern, for it lacks narrow light bands extending onto dorsal fin and across nape; differs from the 'L. nakamurae group’’ (nakamurae, pectoralis, nishimurai) in having 4 postorbital pores (vs. 1 or 2), the posteriormost without a short tube; lower pectoral-fin lobe rounded, the tips of the rays rounded and the middle rays often branched, fin membrane not incised (vs. pointed, with rays pointed and unbranched, membrane moderately incised); scales often present on base of pectoral fin; light inverted V-shaped bands usually present on body .: eel-like; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Black eelpout is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Black eelpout is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Black eelpout is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 146 - 844 m , usually 300 - 600 m . Deep-water North Pacific: Southern California west of the Channel Islands north along the North American coast to the Pacific side of Vancouver Island; apparently not present in the Strait of Georgia or Puget Sound, and has been reported as far south as San Diego.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .

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