E-Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the Wildlife of British Columbia

Careproctus melanurus Gilbert, 1892
Blacktail Snailfish
Family: Liparidae
Introduction to the Marine Fish

© Aaron Baldwin  Email the photographer   (Photo ID #15512)
Source: Distribution of Careproctus melanurus as compiled by Aquamaps
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Species Information

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 54 - 58; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 37 - 50. Dorsal fin extending about halfway along length of caudal fin; caudal narrow, slightly rounded; lower 6 rays of pectorals slightly thickened and completely exserted, the next 5 greatly to moderately exserted and longer than the rays immediately above them, no real notch in fin; pelvic fins modified to form a small adhesive disc with a thickened margin, placed far forward, below eye (Ref. 6885). Off-white to pale rose on body; ends of pectoral and edges of posterior parts of dorsal and anal, and most of the caudal, black; lining of mouth and gill cavity, and tongue black (Ref. 6885).

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850)

Biology

Species Biology

Found on mud bottoms (Ref. 2850). Possibly the most commonly captured liparid below 200 m; captured frequently by fishers (Ref. 26773). Known to feed on polychaete worms, small crustaceans, tiny clams and other invertebrates (Ref. 4525). bathydemersal; marine; depth range 89 - 2286 m (Ref. 50610), usually 500 - 700 m (Ref. 56456). Deep water.

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850)

Distribution

Distribution

North Pacific: Bering Sea to off San Diego in California, USA.

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850)

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeSNRNo StatusNot Listed



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Range and Status Information Links

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General References

FishBase References
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Recommended citation: Author, Date. Page title. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Editor) 2012. E-Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the Fauna of British Columbia [efauna.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. [Accessed: 5/22/2013 3:17:26 AM]
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