Home · Liparidae · Slimy snailfish
Slimy snailfish (Liparis mucosus) — Liparidae

Slimy snailfish

Liparis mucosus
Family: Liparidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Slimy snailfish (Liparis mucosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Liparidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–15.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The slimy snailfish is a small snailfish from the northeastern Pacific, ranging from Sitka in Alaska to Baja California. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a soft, tadpole-like body with a long dorsal fin and a sucker disc on the belly, formed from the pelvic fins, with which it clings to the substrate. It lives in shallow coastal water to about 15 metres depth and feeds on small bottom animals. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slimy snailfish?

The Slimy snailfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Slimy snailfish live?

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

How big does the Slimy snailfish get?

The Slimy snailfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Slimy snailfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Slimy snailfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Slimy snailfish edible?

The Slimy snailfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slijmerige slakdolf verified
English name
Slimy snailfish verified
Scientific name
Liparis mucosus
Family
Liparidae
Other names
Slimy snailfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain 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)
15.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Liparis

More from the family Liparidae

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