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Dwarf wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes aleutensis) — Cryptacanthodidae

Dwarf wrymouth

Cryptacanthodes aleutensis

The Dwarf wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes aleutensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Cryptacanthodidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
46.0–350.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The dwarf wrymouth is an eel-like fish (Cryptacanthodidae) from cold, deeper coastal waters of the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a strongly elongate, flattened, pale body with an upturned, oblique mouth and high-set eyes. As a burrowing bottom-dweller it lives in self-dug tunnels in soft mud bottoms and seizes small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf wrymouth?

The Dwarf wrymouth has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Dwarf wrymouth live?

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

How big does the Dwarf wrymouth get?

The Dwarf wrymouth grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Dwarf wrymouth dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf wrymouth is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-scheefkop sourced
English name
Dwarf wrymouth sourced
Scientific name
Cryptacanthodes aleutensis
Family
Cryptacanthodidae
Other names
Dwarf wrymouth; Red devil verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cryptacanthodes

More from the family Cryptacanthodidae

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