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Longsnout eelpout (Bothrocara molle) — Zoarcidae

Longsnout eelpout

Bothrocara molle
Family: Zoarcidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Longsnout eelpout (Bothrocara molle) is a saltwater fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 56 cm.

Length
56 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
60.0–2688.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North Pacific (deep sea)
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The soft eelpout is a deep-sea eelpout from the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 56 cm and has an elongate, soft, rearward-tapering body with long, continuous dorsal and anal fins and a pale, flabby skin. As a bottom-dweller it lives over a wide depth range, from about 60 to nearly 2700 metres, on soft bottoms and searches for small crustaceans, worms and benthic life. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longsnout eelpout?

The Longsnout eelpout has a snake-like body, is mainly white and shows a plain pattern. Soft tapering body with limp pale skin; deep-sea bottom eelpout

Where does the Longsnout eelpout live?

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

How big does the Longsnout eelpout get?

The Longsnout eelpout grows to a maximum of about 56 cm.

Is the Longsnout eelpout dangerous to humans?

No, the Longsnout eelpout 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 Longsnout eelpout edible?

The Longsnout eelpout is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Longsnout eelpout verified
Scientific name
Bothrocara molle
Family
Zoarcidae
Other names
Pighead eelpout; Short-snout eelpout; Soft eelpout verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
56.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight 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)
60.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2688.0 verified
Natural range
North Pacific (deep sea) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and bottom life inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Deep-sea bottom eelpout; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Soft tapering body with limp pale skin; deep-sea bottom eelpout sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
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 Bothrocara

More from the family Zoarcidae

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