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Threespot eelpout (Lycodes rossi) — Zoarcidae

Threespot eelpout

Lycodes rossi
Family: Zoarcidae

The Threespot eelpout (Lycodes rossi) is a saltwater fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
31 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
42.0–365.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Alaska

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Description

The Threespot eelpout is an eelpout (Zoarcidae) from cold, deep waters of the cold waters around Antarctica. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, eel-like, pale to greyish body with a largely scaleless, slimy skin and long, confluent dorsal, tail and anal fins. As a sluggish bottom-dweller of the cold deep water it snaps at small crustaceans, worms and molluscs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Threespot eelpout?

The Threespot eelpout has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Threespot eelpout live?

The Threespot eelpout lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Alaska

How big does the Threespot eelpout get?

The Threespot eelpout grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.

Is the Threespot eelpout dangerous to humans?

No, the Threespot eelpout 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.

More photos

Threespot eelpout (Lycodes rossi) — Zoarcidae — 2
GBIF (Fredrik Broms)
Threespot eelpout (Lycodes rossi) — Zoarcidae — 3
GBIF (Fredrik Broms)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Threespot eelpout sourced
Scientific name
Lycodes rossi
Family
Zoarcidae
Other names
Threespot eelpout verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
42.0 verified
Max depth (m)
365.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Alaska sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
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

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 Lycodes

More from the family Zoarcidae

Fin

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