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

Careproctus melanurus Gilbert, 1892
Blacktail Snailfish
Family: Liparidae

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

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 Status	Provincial Status	BC List (Red Blue List)	COSEWIC
Native	SNR	No Status	Not Listed

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

Taxonomic and Nomenclatural Links

Genetic and lineage information (NCBI Taxonomy Browser)

Additional Range and Status Information Links

NatureServe Explorer
University of Alaska Museum

Additional Photo Sources

Flickr Image Search
Google Image Search
Images from Calphoto

Related Databases

fishbase

General References

FishBase References
Google Scholar Search

Recommended citation: Author, Date. Page title. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Editor) 2021. 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: 2025-02-08 3:22:28 PM]

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