Home · Muraenolepididae · Orange eel cod
Orange eel cod (Muraenolepis orangiensis) — Muraenolepididae

Orange eel cod

Muraenolepis orangiensis

The Orange eel cod (Muraenolepis orangiensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenolepididae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
135.0–860.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Argentina, Chile, Falkland Is., Crozet Is., Kerguelen Is., Heard McDon Is.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Orange eel cod?

Get the app

Description

The orange eel cod is an eel cod (Muraenolepididae) from cold, deep waters of the Southern Ocean around Antarctica and South America. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, eel-like body with long, confluent dorsal, tail and anal fins, a chin barbel and a smooth skin. As a sluggish bottom-dweller of the cold deep water it snaps at small crustaceans, worms and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Orange eel cod?

The Orange eel cod has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Orange eel cod live?

The Orange eel cod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Argentina, Chile, Falkland Is., Crozet Is., Kerguelen Is., Heard McDon Is.

How big does the Orange eel cod get?

The Orange eel cod grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Orange eel cod dangerous to humans?

No, the Orange eel cod 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 Orange eel cod edible?

Yes, the Orange eel cod is commonly eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Orange eel cod?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Orange eel cod is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Orange eel cod sourced
Scientific name
Muraenolepis orangiensis
Family
Muraenolepididae
Other names
Patagonian moray cod sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
135.0 verified
Max depth (m)
860.0 verified
Natural range
South America: Argentina, Chile, Falkland Is., Crozet Is., Kerguelen Is., Heard McDon Is. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified
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 Muraenolepis

More from the family Muraenolepididae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Orange eel cod?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Orange eel cod is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Orange eel cod? Get the app