Viviparous eelpout (Zoarces viviparus)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help

Summary

Description

Zoarces viviparus has a continuous dorsal, caudal and anal fin with a characteristic notch at the caudal end of the dorsal fin, where the fin rays are short and spiny. The scales are minute and the skin is very slimy. It has a terminal mouth, with gill openings extending below the base of the well developed pectoral fins. Pelvic fins are present, but small. The body is coloured grey-brown on its dorsal surface, with several blotches, and is yellowish along its ventral side. Adults can occassionally reach 52 cm but are typically 25-35 cm long.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

All coasts of Britain, Irish Sea, North Sea and English Channel but absent on Atlantic coasts of Ireland.

Global distribution

From White Sea and Baltic Sea through North Sea and English Channel on British and continental coasts to Brittany.

Habitat

Zoarces viviparus may be found in intertidal zones in marine and brackish environments, where it avoids dessication at low tide by hiding under exposed rocks or in cracks or remains submerged in tide pools. From subtidal zones to 40 m deep, it maintains a demersal and sedentary lifestyle under rocks or hidden amongst algae.

Depth range

0-40

Identifying features

  • Mouth terminal.
  • Minute scales and very slimy skin.
  • Body elongate with continuous dorsal, anal and caudal fins.
  • Shallow depression near end of dorsal fin where fin rays are short and spiny.
  • Short pelvic fins.
  • Large gill opening extending below base of pectoral fins.
  • Pectoral fins well developed.
  • Lateral line without pores.
  • Dorsal colour grey-brown with blotches and ventral colour yellowish.
  • Usually 25-35 cm long, rarely to 52 cm.

Additional information

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Bibliography

  1. Dipper, F., 2001. British sea fishes (2nd edn). Teddington: Underwater World Publications Ltd.

  2. Hayward, P.J. & Ryland, J.S. 1994. The marine fauna of the British Isles and north-west Europe. Volume 1. Introduction and Protozoans to Arthropods. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

  3. Olsen, R.B., Richardson, K. & Simonsen, V. 2002. Population differentiation of eelpout Zoarces viviparus in a Danish fjord. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 227, 97-107.

  4. Whitehead, P.J.P., Bauchot, M.-L., Hureau, J.-C., Nielson, J. & Tortonese, E. 1986. Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Vol. I, II & III. Paris: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Datasets

  1. Environmental Records Information Centre North East, 2018. ERIC NE Combined dataset to 2017. Occurrence dataset: http://www.ericnortheast.org.ukl accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-09-38

  2. Fife Nature Records Centre, 2018. St Andrews BioBlitz 2014. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/erweal accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-27.

  3. Fife Nature Records Centre, 2018. St Andrews BioBlitz 2015. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/xtrbvy accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-27.

  4. Fife Nature Records Centre, 2018. St Andrews BioBlitz 2016. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/146yiz accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-27.

  5. Kent & Medway Biological Records Centre, 2017. Fish: Records for Kent. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/kd1utk accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-27.

  6. Kent Wildlife Trust, 2018. Kent Wildlife Trust Shoresearch Intertidal Survey 2004 onwards. Occurrence dataset: https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/ accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-10-01.

  7. NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.

  8. OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System),  2025. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2025-05-21

  9. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, 2018. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Shoresearch. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/1nw3ch accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-02.

Citation

This review can be cited as:

Bilewitch, J. 2009. Zoarces viviparus Viviparous eelpout. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 21-05-2025]. Available from: https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/2229

Last Updated: 07/07/2009