Home · Zoarcidae · Kelp eelpout
Kelp eelpout (Phucocoetes latitans) — Zoarcidae

Kelp eelpout

Phucocoetes latitans
Family: Zoarcidae
LC · Least Concern

The Kelp eelpout (Phucocoetes latitans) is a saltwater fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The kelp eelpout is an eelpout from the southwestern Atlantic, along the Patagonian coast from Argentina to Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands. The species grows to about 11 cm and has an elongate, eel-like body with a long dorsal fin confluent with the tail. As a cold-water dweller the fish lives among seaweed and kelp holdfasts in the rocky intertidal zone, where adults also spawn and guard the nest. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kelp eelpout?

The Kelp eelpout has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Kelp eelpout live?

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

How big does the Kelp eelpout get?

The Kelp eelpout grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Kelp eelpout dangerous to humans?

No, the Kelp eelpout is harmless to humans.

Is the Kelp eelpout edible?

The Kelp eelpout is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Patagonische puitaal verified
English name
Kelp eelpout verified
Scientific name
Phucocoetes latitans
Family
Zoarcidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-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)
0 sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Zoarcidae

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