Teleostei (teleosts) >
Perciformes/Zoarcoidei (Eelpouts and pricklebacks) >
Zoarcidae (Eelpouts) > Lycodinae
Etymology: Lycodes: Greek, lykos = wolf + Greek, suffix, oides = similar to (Ref. 45335); diapterus: From the Greek di and apteros meaning 'two' and 'fin' (Ref. 27436).
More on author: Gilbert.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 146 - 844 m (Ref. 80505), usually 300 - 600 m (Ref. 80505). Deep-water
North Pacific: Southern California west of the Channel Islands north along the North American coast to the Pacific side of Vancouver Island; apparently not present in the Strait of Georgia or Puget Sound, and has been reported as far south as San Diego.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 33.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2850)
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 109 - 118; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 99 - 109; Vertebrae: 118 - 126. This species is distinguished by the following: with scales covering the nape and the entire postorbital dorsal surface of the head (in adults 15.0 cm SL and larger): it differs from L. beringi in having higher counts of dorsal-fin ray (usually 111 or more), anal-fin ray (usually 100 or more), vertebral (usually 119 or more), and gill raker (usually 15 or more); differs from L. hubbsi in having 19-21 pectoral-fin rays (vs. 20-23), position of the first dorsal-fin
pterygiophore at the sixth or seventh interneural gap (vs. third), and color pattern, for it lacks narrow light bands extending onto dorsal fin and across nape; differs from the 'L. nakamurae group’’ (nakamurae, pectoralis, nishimurai) in having 4 postorbital pores (vs. 1 or 2), the posteriormost without a short tube; lower pectoral-fin lobe rounded, the tips of the rays rounded and the middle rays often branched, fin membrane not incised (vs. pointed, with rays pointed and unbranched, membrane moderately incised); scales often present on base of pectoral fin; light inverted V-shaped bands usually present on body (Ref. 80505).
Body shape (shape guide): eel-like; Cross section: oval.
Found on muddy bottoms (Ref. 2850). May be used as bait (Ref. 27436). Flesh considered firm and tasty but not esteemed (Ref. 27436).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Anderson, M.E., 1994. Systematics and osteology of the Zoarcidae (Teleostei: Perciformes). Ichthyol. Bull. J.L.B. Smith Inst. Ichthyol. 60:120 p. (Ref. 11954)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries
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