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Longspine combfish (Zaniolepis latipinnis) — Zaniolepididae

Longspine combfish

Zaniolepis latipinnis

The Longspine combfish (Zaniolepis latipinnis) is a saltwater fish of the family Zaniolepididae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
37.0–201.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America; soft bottoms of the shelf.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The longspine combfish is a combfish (Zaniolepididae), related to the greenlings, from the eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America. The species has an elongate body covered with rough, comb-like scales and a long dorsal fin whose front spines are strongly elongated, to which the name refers. It is a bottom fish of soft sand and silt bottoms of the continental shelf. On the bottom it feeds on small crustaceans and other invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longspine combfish?

The Longspine combfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Rough, comb-like scales and strongly elongated front dorsal fin spines; bottom fish of the shelf.

Where does the Longspine combfish live?

The Longspine combfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America; soft bottoms of the shelf.

How big does the Longspine combfish get?

The Longspine combfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Longspine combfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Longspine combfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Longspine combfish edible?

The Longspine combfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Longspine combfish (Zaniolepis latipinnis) — Zaniolepididae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) coltonfishing, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longspine combfish (Zaniolepis latipinnis) — Zaniolepididae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) hyperiodic, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longspine combfish (Zaniolepis latipinnis) — Zaniolepididae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Stefanie, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longspine combfish (Zaniolepis latipinnis) — Zaniolepididae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Linda Snook / MBNMS (Public domain)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Longspine combfish verified
Scientific name
Zaniolepis latipinnis
Family
Zaniolepididae verified
Other names
Longspine combfish; Longspined greenling verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin 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)
37.0 verified
Max depth (m)
201.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America; soft bottoms of the shelf. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and other invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Rough, comb-like scales and strongly elongated front dorsal fin spines; bottom fish of the shelf. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Zaniolepis

More from the family Zaniolepididae

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