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Bigtooth eelpout (Lycodapus fierasfer) — Zoarcidae

Bigtooth eelpout

Lycodapus fierasfer
Family: Zoarcidae

The Bigtooth eelpout (Lycodapus fierasfer) is a saltwater fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
50.0–2212.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Canada, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Russia, USA and others

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Description

The Bigtooth eelpout is an eelpout (Zoarcidae) from cold, often deep waters of the northeast Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, eel-like, scale-poor, drab body with a continuous dorsal and tail fin fold. As a bottom-dweller it searches sand and mud bottoms for small crustaceans, worms and molluscs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigtooth eelpout?

The Bigtooth eelpout has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Bigtooth eelpout live?

The Bigtooth eelpout lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. North America: Canada, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Russia, USA and others

How big does the Bigtooth eelpout get?

The Bigtooth eelpout grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Bigtooth eelpout dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigtooth eelpout is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Bigtooth eelpout (Lycodapus fierasfer) — Zoarcidae — 2
GBIF (GBIF)
Bigtooth eelpout (Lycodapus fierasfer) — Zoarcidae — 3
GBIF (GBIF)
Bigtooth eelpout (Lycodapus fierasfer) — Zoarcidae — 4
GBIF (GBIF)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bigtooth eelpout sourced
Scientific name
Lycodapus fierasfer
Family
Zoarcidae
Other names
Blackmouth eelpout; Pearly eel-pout verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
50.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2212.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Canada, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Russia, USA and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Lycodapus

More from the family Zoarcidae

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