Fin's Fish Guide
The Lesser livebearing sculpin (Comephorus dybowskii) is a freshwater fish of the family Comephoridae that grows up to 16 cm.
Endemic to Lake Baikal in Siberia, where it lives pelagically in the open, deep water and moves daily between shallow and deep layers.
Description
The lesser Baikal oilfish is a translucent, scaleless fish of the family Comephoridae reaching about 16 cm and endemic to Lake Baikal. The pinkish-white, fat-rich body has enormous, wing-like pectoral fins, large eyes and no swim bladder, adaptations to a drifting life in the open, deep water. The species shuttles daily between shallow and deep layers of the cold, oxygen-rich lake and feeds on small zooplankton and on fish larvae. Unlike most bony fish it bears live young. The oilfishes form an important link in Baikal's food web and are a main prey of the Baikal seal (nerpa).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Lesser livebearing sculpin?
The Lesser livebearing sculpin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly pink-purple and shows a plain pattern. Translucent, scaleless small deep-water fish from Lake Baikal with enormous pectoral fins, a fat-rich body and no swim bladder; gives birth to live young.
Where does the Lesser livebearing sculpin live?
The Lesser livebearing sculpin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Endemic to Lake Baikal in Siberia, where it lives pelagically in the open, deep water and moves daily between shallow and deep layers.
How big does the Lesser livebearing sculpin get?
The Lesser livebearing sculpin grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.
Is the Lesser livebearing sculpin dangerous to humans?
No, the Lesser livebearing sculpin is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Lesser livebearing sculpin edible?
The Lesser livebearing sculpin is not usually eaten.
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All data
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Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
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Status & sources
Same genus Comephorus
More from the family Comephoridae
Want the complete picture on the Lesser livebearing sculpin?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Lesser livebearing sculpin is one of 12,519 species in the app.