Lycodes pacificus Collett, 1879
Blackbelly eelpout
photo by Nichols, J.

Family:  Zoarcidae (Eelpouts), subfamily: Lycodinae
Max. size:  46 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 5 years
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 9 - 399 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Gulf of Alaska to northern Baja California, Mexico.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 90-107; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 70-90. Caudal sharply rounded but not readily distinguishable from dorsal and anal fins. Pelvic fins minute.
Biology:  Found on silty or sandy bottoms (Ref. 27436). Moves into shallow water at night to feed on marine worms, crustaceans, small bivalves, and brittle stars (Ref. 6885, 27436). Few live over 5 years (Ref. 6885). If used live as bait, it attracts large rockfishes, greenlings or codfishes (Ref. 27436). Flesh considered good but not esteemed (Ref. 27436).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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