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Small eye moray cod (Muraenolepis microps) — Muraenolepididae

Small eye moray cod

Muraenolepis microps

The Small eye moray cod (Muraenolepis microps) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenolepididae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10–1,600 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern Ocean around Antarctica and sub-Antarctic islands; continental and insular shelves and slopes.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The smalleye eel cod is a fish of the eel cod family (Muraenolepididae) from the cold waters of the Southern Ocean around Antarctica and sub-Antarctic islands. The species grows to about 35 cm and has an elongate, tapering body with dorsal, tail and anal fins running into one another and small eyes. It inhabits continental and insular shelves and slopes on the bottom. As a bottom searcher it feeds on zooplankton, small crustaceans and worms. Eel cods are adapted to the ice-cold southern water. Owing to its remote, deeper habits the species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Small eye moray cod?

The Small eye moray cod has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Eel-like cold-water body with merging fins; bottom-dweller of the Southern Ocean.

Where does the Small eye moray cod live?

The Small eye moray cod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Southern Ocean around Antarctica and sub-Antarctic islands; continental and insular shelves and slopes.

How big does the Small eye moray cod get?

The Small eye moray cod grows to a maximum of about 35 cm. On average the species is around 27 cm.

Is the Small eye moray cod dangerous to humans?

No, the Small eye moray cod is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Small eye moray cod edible?

The Small eye moray cod is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Small eye moray cod verified
Scientific name
Muraenolepis microps
Family
Muraenolepididae
Other names
Smalleye moray cod; Small-eyed parketnik verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35 verified
Average length (cm)
27 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Plain
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
10 verified
Max depth (m)
1,600 verified
Natural range
Southern Ocean around Antarctica and sub-Antarctic islands; continental and insular shelves and slopes.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton, small crustaceans and worms sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Eel-like cold-water body with merging fins; bottom-dweller of the Southern Ocean. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling with lures or (dead/live) baitfish by trolling, casting or drift fishing in open water.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Muraenolepis

More from the family Muraenolepididae

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