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Tidepool Snailfish

Liparis florae

Tidepool Snailfish

Liparis florae
Other Common Names
Shore liparid, Flora’s sea-snail
At the Aquarium
Sandy Coast
Other Common Names
Shore liparid, Flora’s sea-snail

At the Aquarium

Sandy Coast

Appearance

Elongated body; tadpole-like in appearance. Entirely scaleless with smooth, loose skin. Their large heads sport small eyes and a small mouth. They have proportionally large pectoral fins and one large dorsal fin. Modified pelvic fins form an ‘adhesive disc’ which allows these fish to suction to hard surfaces. Lacks spiny fin rays. Body tapers into a small tail.

Habitat

Inhabit inshore habitats to depths of 50 feet on exposed coasts, commonly found among boulders, cobble, eelgrass, algae, or in tidepools.

Diet

Tiny crustaceans, isopods, worms, shrimps, and snails.

Life History

Not much is known about the reproduction of this particular species. They have sticky eggs that they deposit onto a substrate and the larvae are planktonic upon hatching. Tidepool snailfish can reach lengths of 7 inches.

IUCN Status

Not Evaluated

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Predators include sand soles and minks.
Range
Eastern Pacific, Bering Sea Alaskan Coast to Southern California.
On the Oregon Coast
As their name suggests, you can find tidepool snailfish in tidepools along our coast.
Fun Facts
Snailfish have teeth in their jaws with three-lobes of similar size, while the teeth in their throats are simple. The snailfish family is a widespread group of over 400 species, found in cold marine waters globally and inhabiting the greatest depths of any marine fish family. The deepest living known vertebrate is a snailfish that was documented at a depth of 26,716 feet.

Citations & Other Resources

  • Chernova, N. V. inchesSystematics and phylogeny of fish of the genus Liparis (Liparidae, Scorpaeniformes).inches Journal of Ichthyology 48 (2008): 831-852.
  • Hart. J. L., N. B. Andrews. 1988. Pacific Fishes of Canada. Bulletins of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada. Canadian Government Publishing Center Supplies and Services Canada. Ottawa, Canada.
  • Love, Milton S. Certainly more than you want to know about the fishes of the Pacific Coast: a postmodern experience. Really Big Press: Santa Barbara. 2011. 649 pp. ISBN 978-0-9628725-6-3.
  • Overdick, Ashlee A., Morgan S. Busby, and Deborah M. Blood. inchesDescriptions of eggs of snailfishes (family Liparidae) from the Bering Sea and eastern North Pacific Ocean.inches Ichthyological Research 61 (2014): 131-141.
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About Oregon Coast Aquarium

Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

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