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Canadian eelpout (Lycodes polaris) — Zoarcidae

Canadian eelpout

Lycodes polaris
Family: Zoarcidae

The Canadian eelpout (Lycodes polaris) is a saltwater fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–300.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Canadian eelpout is an eelpout (Zoarcidae) from cold, deep waters of the cold waters of the Arctic. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, eel-like, grey-brown body with long, confluent dorsal, tail and anal fins and a thick, slimy skin. As a sluggish bottom-dweller of the cold deep water it snaps at small crustaceans, worms and molluscs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Canadian eelpout?

The Canadian eelpout has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Canadian eelpout live?

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

How big does the Canadian eelpout get?

The Canadian eelpout grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Canadian eelpout dangerous to humans?

No, the Canadian eelpout is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Poolpuitaal sourced
English name
Canadian eelpout sourced
Scientific name
Lycodes polaris
Family
Zoarcidae
Other names
Canadian eelpout; Polar eelpout verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
300.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 verified

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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