Fin's Fish Guide
The Blackline prickleback (Acantholumpenus mackayi) is a brackish-water fish of the family Stichaeidae that grows up to 70 cm.
Description
The blackline prickleback is an elongate prickleback from the cold waters of the northern Pacific and adjacent Arctic seas. The species grows to about 70 cm and has an eel-like, compressed body with a long, spiny dorsal fin and a dark longitudinal line. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and mud bottoms of shallow coastal and estuarine water to about 200 metres and searches for small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Blackline prickleback?
The Blackline prickleback has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Eel-shaped body with a dark longitudinal line; cold-water bottom-dweller
Where does the Blackline prickleback live?
The Blackline prickleback lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North Pacific
How big does the Blackline prickleback get?
The Blackline prickleback grows to a maximum of about 70 cm.
Is the Blackline prickleback dangerous to humans?
No, the Blackline prickleback 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.
Is the Blackline prickleback edible?
The Blackline prickleback is not usually eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Stichaeidae
Want the complete picture on the Blackline prickleback?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blackline prickleback is one of 12,519 species in the app.