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Eelpout (Oidiphorus brevis) — Zoarcidae

Eelpout

Oidiphorus brevis
Family: Zoarcidae

The Eelpout (Oidiphorus brevis) is a saltwater fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
135.0–900.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The eelpout is an eelpout (Zoarcidae) from the cold waters of the Southern Ocean. The species has a stocky, backward-tapering body with continuous dorsal and anal fins merging with the tail. It is a bottom dweller adapted to icy water and lives on the continental shelf and slope. As a bottom fish it feeds on small crustaceans, worms and other invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Eelpout?

The Eelpout has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Eelpout live?

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

How big does the Eelpout get?

The Eelpout grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Eelpout dangerous to humans?

No, the Eelpout is harmless to humans.

Is the Eelpout edible?

The Eelpout is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Korte puitaal sourced
English name
Eelpout sourced
Scientific name
Oidiphorus brevis
Family
Zoarcidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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)
135.0 verified
Max depth (m)
900.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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

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