Archer Eelpout, Lycodes
sagittarius
This species is one of the many uncommon eelpouts and is known only from a few
specimens. It can be separated from its Canadian relatives by its small pelvic
fins, underslung mouth, lack of large nostril-like pores around its mouth, lack
of chin crests, the presence of scales on its body, and the numbers of rays in
the various fins. Otherwise, the archer has a typical eelpout body, including
large fan-like pectoral fins, a heavily built head, an elongate body, eyes near
the top of its head, a dorsal fin that runs the length of its body, and an anal
fin that runs only partway up its belly. Its colour is grey-brown to dark brown
and it has seven to nine oblique, lightly coloured bars on its dorsal fin and
upper back. The scales that are present on this fish are lighter than the background
colour. Individuals do not exceed a length of 28 cm.
The archer eelpout has been reported only from Bathhurst Inlet, NWT, and from
the Kara Sea off northern Asia. It has been collected from depths of 335 to 600
m and seems to prefer mud-sand bottoms at temperatures lower than 0°C. Their
food is worms, clams, snails, and crustaceans. Spawning likely occurs during the
late summer to early autumn.