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Stout eelblenny (Anisarchus medius) — Stichaeidae

Stout eelblenny

Anisarchus medius
Family: Stichaeidae

The Stout eelblenny (Anisarchus medius) is a saltwater fish of the family Stichaeidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–300.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The stout eelblenny is an elongate bottom fish of the family Stichaeidae from the cold waters of the Northern Hemisphere. The species reaches about 30 cm and has a slender, eel-like body with a long, continuous dorsal fin. It lives benthically on muddy bottoms and prefers water below freezing and high salinities, at depths of about 10 to 300 m. The diet consists of small bottom invertebrates. The species is circumpolar in Arctic and subarctic seas and is little studied owing to its remote, cold habitat.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Stout eelblenny?

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

Where does the Stout eelblenny live?

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

How big does the Stout eelblenny get?

The Stout eelblenny grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the Stout eelblenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Stout eelblenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Stout eelblenny edible?

The Stout eelblenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Noordelijke aalslijmvis sourced
English name
Stout eelblenny verified
Scientific name
Anisarchus medius
Family
Stichaeidae
Other names
Stout eelblenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
300.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Stichaeidae

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