Wattled Eelpout

A subarctic Pacific eelpout, also abundant in Chukchi Sea

Eats gammarid amphipods, various shrimps and crabs, other eelpouts, polychaetes, other benthic invertebrates; Eaten by Pacific cod, Greenland and Pacific halibuts, other benthic fishes, and probably seabirds

Subarctic-arctic; Benthic, at depths of 2-925 m, nearly always < 200 m; Found on muddy or sandy bottoms

No data; Eggs assumed demersal, adhesive, and larvae demersal, as with other Lycodes

Brown or reddish brown body and fins; 9 or 10 narrow, creamy white bands on upper body and dorsal fin; bands fade with growth. Young fish (< 22 cm) with 2 narrow, pale bands on head in front of dorsal fin and black blotch on dorsal fin near front; Chin crests tall, pointed and projecting anteriorly; pectoral fin rays 17-19; dense scales on belly, nape, dorsal and anal fins; lateral line pattern ventrolateral, ascending part barely discernible

Caudal fin narrowly rounded but not distinguishable from dorsal and anal fins. Pelvic fins minute.

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 94 - 105; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 83 - 90

Found on muddy or sandy bottoms (Ref. 2850). Feeds on small bivalves and shrimps (Ref. 6885).