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Laval's eelpout (Lycodes lavalaei) — Zoarcidae

Laval's eelpout

Lycodes lavalaei
Family: Zoarcidae

The Laval's eelpout (Lycodes lavalaei) is a saltwater fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 56 cm.

Length
56 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
24–535 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Cold northwest Atlantic off Canada; muddy and sandy bottoms.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Laval's eelpout is an eelpout (Zoarcidae) from the cold northwestern Atlantic off the east coast of Canada. The species has an elongate, eel-shaped body with continuous dorsal, caudal and anal fins forming a fringe. It lives bottom-dwelling on mud and sand bottoms of cold, deep water. On the bottom it feeds on benthic invertebrates and small fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Laval's eelpout?

The Laval's eelpout has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Eel-shaped body with a fused fin fringe; bottom-dweller of cold, deep Atlantic water.

Where does the Laval's eelpout live?

The Laval's eelpout lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Cold northwest Atlantic off Canada; muddy and sandy bottoms.

How big does the Laval's eelpout get?

The Laval's eelpout grows to a maximum of about 56 cm.

Is the Laval's eelpout dangerous to humans?

No, the Laval's eelpout is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Laval's eelpout edible?

The Laval's eelpout is not usually eaten.

More photos

Laval's eelpout (Lycodes lavalaei) — Zoarcidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Claude Nozères, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Laval's eelpout (Lycodes lavalaei) — Zoarcidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Claude Nozères, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Laval's eelpout (Lycodes lavalaei) — Zoarcidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Michael Verdirame, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Laval's eelpout (Lycodes lavalaei) — Zoarcidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Gonzalo Mucientes Sandoval, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Laval's eelpout verified
Scientific name
Lycodes lavalaei
Family
Zoarcidae
Other names
Newfoundland eelpout verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
56 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Spots
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
24 verified
Max depth (m)
535 verified
Natural range
Cold northwest Atlantic off Canada; muddy and sandy bottoms.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Benthic invertebrates and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Eel-shaped body with a fused fin fringe; bottom-dweller of cold, deep Atlantic water. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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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