Home · Zoarcidae · Austrolycus depressiceps
Austrolycus depressiceps — Zoarcidae

Austrolycus depressiceps

Austrolycus depressiceps
Family: Zoarcidae

The Austrolycus depressiceps is a brackish-water fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 57 cm.

Length
57 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Patagonian eelpout is an eelpout (Zoarcidae) from the waters around southern Patagonia (southwestern Atlantic and southeastern Pacific). The species reaches about 57 cm and has an elongate, eel-like body with a flattened head and a continuous fin margin. It inhabits rocky intertidal zones and estuaries with suitable conditions, where it shelters among macroalgae and under rocks and stones. The diet consists of small bottom invertebrates. The species tolerates the varying salinities of the coastal zone. Owing to its hidden life in cold water it is little noticed.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Austrolycus depressiceps?

The Austrolycus depressiceps has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Austrolycus depressiceps live?

The Austrolycus depressiceps lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Austrolycus depressiceps get?

The Austrolycus depressiceps grows to a maximum of about 57 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Austrolycus depressiceps dangerous to humans?

No, the Austrolycus depressiceps is harmless to humans.

Is the Austrolycus depressiceps edible?

The Austrolycus depressiceps is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Patagonische puitaal sourced
English name
Austrolycus depressiceps sourced
Scientific name
Austrolycus depressiceps
Family
Zoarcidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
57.0 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
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

Same genus Austrolycus

More from the family Zoarcidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →