Home · Zoarcidae · Scalebelly eelpout
Scalebelly eelpout (Lycodes squamiventer) — Zoarcidae

Scalebelly eelpout

Lycodes squamiventer
Family: Zoarcidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Scalebelly eelpout (Lycodes squamiventer) is a saltwater fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
198.0–1808.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The scalebelly eelpout is a deep-sea eelpout from cold northern waters. The species grows to about 26 cm and has an elongate, eel-like, brownish body with a continuous fin fringe around the tail and, unlike many relatives, a scaled belly. As a bottom-dweller it lives on soft bottoms of the deep, cold sea 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 Scalebelly eelpout?

The Scalebelly eelpout has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Scalebelly eelpout live?

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

How big does the Scalebelly eelpout get?

The Scalebelly eelpout grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Scalebelly eelpout dangerous to humans?

No, the Scalebelly eelpout is harmless to humans.

Is the Scalebelly eelpout edible?

The Scalebelly eelpout is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schubbuik-puitaal verified
English name
Scalebelly eelpout verified
Scientific name
Lycodes squamiventer
Family
Zoarcidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-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)
198.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1808.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

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 Lycodes

More from the family Zoarcidae

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