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Blackbelly eelpout (Lycodes pacificus) — Zoarcidae

Blackbelly eelpout

Lycodes pacificus
Family: Zoarcidae

The Blackbelly eelpout (Lycodes pacificus) is a saltwater fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 46 cm.

Length
46 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
9.0–399.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The blackbelly eelpout is an eelpout (Zoarcidae) from the eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America. The species has an elongate, eel-like body with continuous dorsal and anal fins merging with the tail and a dark belly. It lives on silty or sandy bottoms and moves into shallower water at night to forage on marine worms, crustaceans, small bivalves and brittle stars. Few individuals live beyond five years. It is sometimes used as bait. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackbelly eelpout?

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

Where does the Blackbelly eelpout live?

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

How big does the Blackbelly eelpout get?

The Blackbelly eelpout grows to a maximum of about 46 cm.

Is the Blackbelly eelpout dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackbelly eelpout is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackbelly eelpout edible?

The Blackbelly eelpout is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pacifische puitaal sourced
English name
Blackbelly eelpout verified
Scientific name
Lycodes pacificus
Family
Zoarcidae
Other names
Blackbelly eelpout verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
46.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
9.0 verified
Max depth (m)
399.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

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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