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Daubed shanny (Leptoclinus maculatus) — Stichaeidae

Daubed shanny

Leptoclinus maculatus
Family: Stichaeidae
LC · Least Concern

The Daubed shanny (Leptoclinus maculatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Stichaeidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–607.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The daubed shanny is a slender, eel-like cold-water fish of the family Stichaeidae reaching about 20 cm. The elongate, brownish body bears a row of dark spots along the base of the long, low dorsal fin, which runs along almost the entire back. Juveniles have a conspicuous fat-filled sac in the belly that helps them float and store energy. The species lives on sand and mud bottoms in the cold water of the northern Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean, from shallow water to several hundred metres. It feeds on small crustaceans, worms and other bottom life. As an abundant cold-water fish it is important prey for seabirds, seals and larger fish in Arctic food webs.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Daubed shanny?

The Daubed shanny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Daubed shanny live?

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

How big does the Daubed shanny get?

The Daubed shanny grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Daubed shanny dangerous to humans?

No, the Daubed shanny is harmless to humans.

Is the Daubed shanny edible?

The Daubed shanny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gevlekte slangvis inferred
English name
Daubed shanny verified
Scientific name
Leptoclinus maculatus
Family
Stichaeidae
Other names
Daubed shanny; Langbarn; Spotted snake blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
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

More from the family Stichaeidae

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