Home · Liparidae · Pale snailfish
Pale snailfish (Careproctus pallidus) — Liparidae

Pale snailfish

Careproctus pallidus
Family: Liparidae

The Pale snailfish (Careproctus pallidus) is a saltwater fish of the family Liparidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6.0–28.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The pale snailfish is a snailfish (Liparidae) from cold, deep waters of the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a flabby, tadpole-like, pale pink to greyish body with a loose, jelly-like skin without scales and a sucker on the belly. As a sluggish bottom-dweller of the depths it snaps at small crustaceans and other benthic life. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pale snailfish?

The Pale snailfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly pink-purple.

Where does the Pale snailfish live?

The Pale snailfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Pale snailfish get?

The Pale snailfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Pale snailfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Pale snailfish is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bleke slakdolf sourced
English name
Pale snailfish sourced
Scientific name
Careproctus pallidus
Family
Liparidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
20 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
28.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Liparidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →