Home · Zoarcidae · Limp eelpout
Limp eelpout (Melanostigma gelatinosum) — Zoarcidae

Limp eelpout

Melanostigma gelatinosum
Family: Zoarcidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Limp eelpout (Melanostigma gelatinosum) is a saltwater fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 29 cm.

Length
29 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
44.0–2561.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The limp eelpout is a deep-sea eelpout occurring worldwide in cold, deep water. The species grows to about 29 cm and has a soft, gelatinous, eel-like body that is pale brown to greyish, with a small mouth and a very long dorsal and anal fin confluent with the tail and lacking spines. It lives in the open water and near the bottom of the deep sea, from a few tens of metres to over 2500 metres depth. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Limp eelpout?

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

Where does the Limp eelpout live?

The Limp eelpout lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Limp eelpout get?

The Limp eelpout grows to a maximum of about 29 cm.

Is the Limp eelpout dangerous to humans?

No, the Limp eelpout is harmless to humans.

Is the Limp eelpout edible?

The Limp eelpout is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geleiachtige puitaal verified
English name
Limp eelpout verified
Scientific name
Melanostigma gelatinosum
Family
Zoarcidae
Other names
Limp eelpout verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
29.0 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
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
44.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2561.0 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
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. 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 Zoarcidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →