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Greenling (Hexagrammos octogrammus) — Hexagrammidae

Greenling

Hexagrammos octogrammus
Family: Hexagrammidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Greenling (Hexagrammos octogrammus) is a saltwater fish of the family Hexagrammidae that grows up to 42 cm.

Length
42 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North Pacific
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The sea greenling is a bottom fish from the cold waters of the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 42 cm and has an elongate, brown-green to olive body with several lateral lines along the flank, characteristic of the greenlings. As a bottom-dweller it lives among rocks, weed and kelp from shallow coastal water to about 200 metres and hunts small crustaceans, worms and fish. It is a local food fish. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Greenling?

The Greenling has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly green and shows a marbled pattern. Several lateral lines; rock- and kelp-dwelling greenling

Where does the Greenling live?

The Greenling lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North Pacific

How big does the Greenling get?

The Greenling grows to a maximum of about 42 cm.

Is the Greenling dangerous to humans?

No, the Greenling 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 Greenling edible?

Yes, the Greenling is commonly eaten.

More photos

Greenling (Hexagrammos octogrammus) — Hexagrammidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) M. Goff, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Greenling verified
Scientific name
Hexagrammos octogrammus
Family
Hexagrammidae
Other names
Masked greenling verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
42.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 verified
Natural range
North Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and small fishes inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
12.0 verified
Seasonality
Rock- and kelp-dwelling greenling; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Several lateral lines; rock- and kelp-dwelling greenling sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Handlines sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Hexagrammos

More from the family Hexagrammidae

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