Home · Zoarcidae · Antarctic eelpout
Antarctic eelpout (Ophthalmolycus amberensis) — Zoarcidae

Antarctic eelpout

Ophthalmolycus amberensis
Family: Zoarcidae

The Antarctic eelpout (Ophthalmolycus amberensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
140.0–826.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern Ocean around Antarctica; shelf and continental slope.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Antarctic eelpout?

Get the app

Description

The Antarctic eelpout is an eelpout (Zoarcidae) from the icy Southern Ocean around Antarctica. The species has an elongate, rearward-tapering body with a continuous dorsal, tail and anal fin. It lives bottom-bound in deep, cold water on the shelf and continental slope. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small crustaceans, worms and other invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Antarctic eelpout?

The Antarctic eelpout has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Elongate body with a continuous fin fringe; Antarctic bottom-dwelling eelpout of cold deep water.

Where does the Antarctic eelpout live?

The Antarctic eelpout lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southern Ocean around Antarctica; shelf and continental slope.

How big does the Antarctic eelpout get?

The Antarctic eelpout grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Antarctic eelpout dangerous to humans?

No, the Antarctic eelpout is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Antarctic eelpout edible?

The Antarctic eelpout is not usually eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Antarctic eelpout?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Antarctic eelpout is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Antarctic eelpout sourced
Scientific name
Ophthalmolycus amberensis
Family
Zoarcidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
140.0 verified
Max depth (m)
826.0 verified
Natural range
Southern Ocean around Antarctica; shelf and continental slope. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and other invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Elongate body with a continuous fin fringe; Antarctic bottom-dwelling eelpout of cold deep water. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Ophthalmolycus

More from the family Zoarcidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Antarctic eelpout?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Antarctic eelpout is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Antarctic eelpout? Get the app