Raniceps raninus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Tadpole fish
photo by Svensen, R.

Family:  Ranicipitidae (Tadpole fishes)
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 100 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Northeast Atlantic: Trondheim on the Norwegian coast to the Bay of Biscay; also around the British Isles.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. Head depressed. First dorsal fin poorly developed, with only three short rays. Color uniformly dark brown or bluish brown; the lips and the distal areas of all fins paler except for the pectorals.
Biology:  Lives in coastal waters at shallow depths, generally from 10-20 m, more seldom from 75-100 m, on rocky bottom with seaweeds. Solitary and secretive, undertakes only limited local movements. Spawns from May to September at 50-70 m depth near the shore throughout its entire range. Feeds on sea stars, crustaceans, worms, mollusks and small fish (Ref. 1371).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 October 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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