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Common wolf eel (Lycenchelys paxillus) — Zoarcidae

Common wolf eel

Lycenchelys paxillus
Family: Zoarcidae

The Common wolf eel (Lycenchelys paxillus) is a saltwater fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
17.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
46.0–1525.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The eelpout is an eelpout (Zoarcidae) from the deep waters of the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. The species has an elongate, eel-like body with a continuous dorsal, tail and anal fin margin and a slimy, nearly scaleless skin. It lives bottom-bound on mud and sand bottoms of the continental slope, far below the reach of sunlight. On the bottom it feeds on molluscs and small crustaceans. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Common wolf eel?

The Common wolf eel has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Common wolf eel live?

The Common wolf eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Common wolf eel get?

The Common wolf eel grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Common wolf eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Common wolf eel is harmless to humans.

Is the Common wolf eel edible?

The Common wolf eel is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pin-puitaal sourced
English name
Common wolf eel verified
Scientific name
Lycenchelys paxillus
Family
Zoarcidae
Other names
Common wolf eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.5 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
46.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1525.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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

Same genus Lycenchelys

More from the family Zoarcidae

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