Home · Hexagrammidae · Greenling
Greenling (Hexagrammos lagocephalus) — Hexagrammidae

Greenling

Hexagrammos lagocephalus
Family: Hexagrammidae
LC · Least Concern

The Greenling (Hexagrammos lagocephalus) is a saltwater fish of the family Hexagrammidae that grows up to 61 cm.

Length
61 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–596.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The rock greenling is a greenling (Hexagrammidae) from the northern Pacific. The species has an elongate body with several lateral lines and can be handsomely brown, red or greenish; males often become brighter in the spawning season. It lives in shallow rocky areas, especially on exposed surf coasts. As a bottom hunter it feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, worms and small fishes. It is fished from the shore. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Greenling?

The Greenling has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Greenling live?

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

How big does the Greenling get?

The Greenling grows to a maximum of about 61 cm.

Is the Greenling dangerous to humans?

No, the Greenling is harmless to humans.

Is the Greenling edible?

Yes, the Greenling is commonly eaten.

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
Rots-groenling sourced
English name
Greenling verified
Scientific name
Hexagrammos lagocephalus
Family
Hexagrammidae
Other names
Rock greenling verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
61.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
596.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hexagrammos

More from the family Hexagrammidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

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

Get the beta →