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Fourbeard rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius) — Lotidae

Fourbeard rockling

Enchelyopus cimbrius
Family: Lotidae
LC · Least Concern

The Fourbeard rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius) is a saltwater fish of the family Lotidae that grows up to 41 cm.

Length
41 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–650.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The fourbeard rockling is a slender bottom-dwelling fish of the family Lotidae reaching about 41 cm. It is named for the four barbels on its chin, snout tip and nostrils. The first dorsal fin ray is greatly elongated and is followed by a fringe of fleshy filaments. Colour ranges from dusky brown to pale. A nocturnal, solitary fish, it lives on sand and mud bottoms among hard substrate at depths of 20 to 650 m. It feeds on small crustaceans, worms and flatfishes. The species has little commercial value and is only occasionally taken as bycatch.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fourbeard rockling?

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

Where does the Fourbeard rockling live?

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

How big does the Fourbeard rockling get?

The Fourbeard rockling grows to a maximum of about 41 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Fourbeard rockling dangerous to humans?

No, the Fourbeard rockling is harmless to humans.

Is the Fourbeard rockling edible?

The Fourbeard rockling is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vierdradige meun sourced
English name
Fourbeard rockling verified
Scientific name
Enchelyopus cimbrius
Family
Lotidae
Other names
Fourbeard rockling; Four-bearded rockling verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
levensduur_max_jaar
9.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten verified
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 Lotidae

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