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Wolf eelpout (Lycenchelys verrillii) — Zoarcidae

Wolf eelpout

Lycenchelys verrillii
Family: Zoarcidae

The Wolf eelpout (Lycenchelys verrillii) is a saltwater fish of the family Zoarcidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
46–1,100 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northwest Atlantic; muddy and sandy bottoms of the continental slope.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Verrill's wolf eelpout is an eelpout (Zoarcidae) from the deep waters of the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. The species has an elongate, eel-like body with a continuous fin margin and a slimy, nearly scaleless skin. It lives bottom-bound on mud and sand bottoms of the continental slope, far below the reach of sunlight. On the bottom it feeds on small bottom invertebrates such as crustaceans and worms. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Wolf eelpout?

The Wolf eelpout has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Eel-shaped, slimy deep-sea bottom fish of the continental slope; eats benthic invertebrates.

Where does the Wolf eelpout live?

The Wolf eelpout lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northwest Atlantic; muddy and sandy bottoms of the continental slope.

How big does the Wolf eelpout get?

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

Is the Wolf eelpout dangerous to humans?

No, the Wolf eelpout is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Wolf eelpout edible?

The Wolf eelpout is not usually eaten.

More photos

Wolf eelpout (Lycenchelys verrillii) — Zoarcidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Claude Nozères, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Wolf eelpout (Lycenchelys verrillii) — Zoarcidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Joe Kunkel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Wolf eelpout (Lycenchelys verrillii) — Zoarcidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Joe Kunkel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Wolf eelpout verified
Scientific name
Lycenchelys verrillii
Family
Zoarcidae
Other names
Wolf eelpout verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
46 verified
Max depth (m)
1,100 verified
Natural range
Northwest Atlantic; muddy and sandy bottoms of the continental slope.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates: 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-shaped, slimy deep-sea bottom fish of the continental slope; eats benthic invertebrates. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
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 Lycenchelys

More from the family Zoarcidae

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