Home · Zoarcidae · Newfoundland eelpout
Newfoundland eelpout (Lycodes terraenovae) — Zoarcidae

Newfoundland eelpout

Lycodes terraenovae
Family: Zoarcidae
LC · Least Concern

The Newfoundland eelpout (Lycodes terraenovae) is a saltwater fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
150.0–2604.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Newfoundland eelpout is an eel-like deep-sea fish of the family Zoarcidae (eelpouts) reaching about 45 cm. The elongate, brownish body bears pale cross-bars or blotches and has a continuous fin fringe in which the dorsal, tail and anal fins merge, and thick lips. The species lives on mud and sand bottoms of the continental slope in the cold, deep northern Atlantic, usually between one hundred and fifty and over two thousand metres. Close to the bottom it hunts small crustaceans, worms and molluscs. Because of its deep-sea life it is encountered almost only as bycatch of deep-sea research and has no commercial value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Newfoundland eelpout?

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

Where does the Newfoundland eelpout live?

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

How big does the Newfoundland eelpout get?

The Newfoundland eelpout grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Newfoundland eelpout dangerous to humans?

No, the Newfoundland eelpout is harmless to humans.

Is the Newfoundland eelpout edible?

The Newfoundland eelpout is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Newfoundland-puitaal inferred
English name
Newfoundland eelpout verified
Scientific name
Lycodes terraenovae
Family
Zoarcidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
150.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2604.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
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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