Home · Liparidae · Pale snailfish
Pale snailfish (Careproctus pallidus) — Liparidae

Pale snailfish

Careproctus pallidus
Family: Liparidae

The Pale snailfish (Careproctus pallidus) is a saltwater fish of the family Liparidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6.0–28.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Argentina, Chile

Want the complete picture on the Pale snailfish?

Get the app

Description

The pale snailfish is a snailfish (Liparidae) from cold, deep waters of the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a flabby, tadpole-like, pale pink to greyish body with a loose, jelly-like skin without scales and a sucker on the belly. As a sluggish bottom-dweller of the depths it snaps at small crustaceans and other benthic life. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pale snailfish?

The Pale snailfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly pink-purple.

Where does the Pale snailfish live?

The Pale snailfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Argentina, Chile

How big does the Pale snailfish get?

The Pale snailfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Pale snailfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Pale snailfish 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Pale snailfish?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Pale snailfish sourced
Scientific name
Careproctus pallidus
Family
Liparidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium
Max length (cm)
20 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
28.0 verified
Natural range
South America: Argentina, Chile 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

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

More from the family Liparidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Pale snailfish?

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

Get the app →
Is this the Pale snailfish? Get the app