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Tawnystripe eelpout (Lycodes brunneofasciatus) — Zoarcidae

Tawnystripe eelpout

Lycodes brunneofasciatus
Family: Zoarcidae

The Tawnystripe eelpout (Lycodes brunneofasciatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 79 cm.

Length
79 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–830.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northwest Pacific around the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bering Sea and adjacent waters, on soft bottoms in cold, deep water.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The tawnystripe eelpout is an elongate, robust eelpout of the family Zoarcidae reaching about 79 cm. The brownish, sparsely scaled body has a continuous fin fringe running over back, tail and belly, and often bears pale cross-bars or saddle blotches. The species is adapted to cold, deep water and lives on soft bottoms of the cold northern seas. Close to the bottom it slowly searches for small crustaceans, worms, molluscs and echinoderms. Like other eelpouts it lays relatively few, large eggs that develop slowly in the cold water. Because of its life in the remote, cold deep sea it is rarely caught and little is known about it.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tawnystripe eelpout?

The Tawnystripe eelpout has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Elongate, robust eelpout with a continuous fin fringe and often pale vertical bars or saddle blotches; adapted to cold, deep water.

Where does the Tawnystripe eelpout live?

The Tawnystripe eelpout lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northwest Pacific around the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bering Sea and adjacent waters, on soft bottoms in cold, deep water.

How big does the Tawnystripe eelpout get?

The Tawnystripe eelpout grows to a maximum of about 79 cm. On average the species is around 52 cm.

Is the Tawnystripe eelpout dangerous to humans?

No, the Tawnystripe eelpout is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Tawnystripe eelpout edible?

The Tawnystripe eelpout is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Tawnystripe eelpout verified
Scientific name
Lycodes brunneofasciatus
Family
Zoarcidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
79 verified
Average length (cm)
51.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) verified
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars 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 verified
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
830.0 verified
Natural range
Northwest Pacific around the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bering Sea and adjacent waters, on soft bottoms in cold, deep water. verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms, molluscs and echinoderms from the bottom sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
levensduur_max_jaar
13.0 verified
Seasonality
Cold-water bottom-dweller of the deep sea; lays large eggs that develop slowly. sourced
Special features
Elongate, robust eelpout with a continuous fin fringe and often pale vertical bars or saddle blotches; adapted to cold, deep water. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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