Fin's Fish Guide
The Striped seasnail (Liparis liparis) is a saltwater fish of the family Liparidae that grows up to 15 cm.
Coasts of the North Atlantic, from France and the British Isles to Iceland, Greenland and the Barents Sea, and the North Sea and Baltic.
Description
The striped seasnail is a small marine fish of the family Liparidae reaching about 15 cm. Its body is soft, scaleless and rather tadpole-like, with long dorsal and anal fins and on the belly a round sucking disc of fused pelvic fins, with which it clings to stones and seaweed. The colour ranges from brown to olive green, often with fine lengthwise stripes. The species lives along the coasts of the North Atlantic, the North Sea and the Baltic, on sandy and stony bottoms from a few metres to about 80 metres deep, and feeds mainly on crustaceans, sometimes on small fish and bristle worms. It spawns in winter. It is listed as vulnerable on the Dutch Red List.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Striped seasnail?
The Striped seasnail has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Small, soft, scaleless fish with long dorsal and anal fins and a round sucking disc on the belly; brown to olive green, often with fine lengthwise stripes.
Where does the Striped seasnail live?
The Striped seasnail lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Coasts of the North Atlantic, from France and the British Isles to Iceland, Greenland and the Barents Sea, and the North Sea and Baltic.
How big does the Striped seasnail get?
The Striped seasnail grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.
Is the Striped seasnail dangerous to humans?
No, the Striped seasnail is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Striped seasnail edible?
The Striped seasnail is not usually eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Striped seasnail and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Liparis
More from the family Liparidae
Want the complete picture on the Striped seasnail?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Striped seasnail is one of 12,519 species in the app.
Or scan with your phone