Liparis atlanticus
The Atlantic seasnail or Atlantic snailfish (Liparis antlanticus) is a fish belonging to the genus Liparis. It is a small tadpole-like fish with a soft, scaleless body and complex ventral sucker. The ventral fins have been re purposed to be a sucker. They have a single dorsal fin with about six spines differentiated from the soft rays by a slight notch. This species reaches a maximum length of about 5 inches. It ranges from Newfoundland to New Jersey. The Atlantic seasnail lives in the immediately subtidal region to depths of 183 m (100 fathoms.) In northern parts of its range, it is found on the shore line. It breeds in mid-winter, the eggs being laid amongst hydroid growths on the sea bed, and on stony ground. Its food is mainly small crustaceans, particularly shrimps, but occasionally small fishes are eaten.
Liparis atlanticus | |
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Species: | L. atlanticus |
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Liparis atlanticus (D. S. Jordan & Evermann, 1898) | |
References
- "Fishes of the World". Alwyne Wheeler.
- "The Inland Fishes of New York State." C. Lavett Smith.