Home · Zoarcidae · Bigfin eelpout
Bigfin eelpout (Lycodes cortezianus) — Zoarcidae

Bigfin eelpout

Lycodes cortezianus
Family: Zoarcidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Bigfin eelpout (Lycodes cortezianus) is a saltwater fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
73.0–620.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The bigfin eelpout is a deep-sea eelpout from the eastern Pacific, ranging from Prince of Wales Island in Alaska to San Diego. The species grows to about 50 cm and has an elongate, eel-like body that is brown to blue-black on the back and flanks and lighter below, with dark markings and a very long dorsal fin confluent with the tail. As a bottom-dweller the fish lives on muddy bottoms between about 70 and 620 metres depth and feeds on small bottom animals. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigfin eelpout?

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

Where does the Bigfin eelpout live?

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

How big does the Bigfin eelpout get?

The Bigfin eelpout grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Bigfin eelpout dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigfin eelpout is harmless to humans.

Is the Bigfin eelpout edible?

The Bigfin eelpout is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grootvin-puitaal verified
English name
Bigfin eelpout verified
Scientific name
Lycodes cortezianus
Family
Zoarcidae
Other names
Bigfin eelpout verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

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 Lycodes

More from the family Zoarcidae

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