Family ZOARCIDAE

Zoarcidae

© Copyright Ros Poole.

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Introduction

Members of the Zoarcidae are mostly bottom-dwelling fishes found in shallow to very deep waters, especially in polar waters of both hemispheres. A few species are meso- to bathypelagic. More than 300 species in about 70 genera are recognised worldwide (Eschemyer & Fong 2012), with one species known from Australia, and another five species recorded from Australia's Antarctic and Subantarctic territorial waters.

Eelpouts are elongate marine fishes with long dorsal and anal fins continuous with the caudal fin. Pelvic fins are advanced or absent and scales are present or absent. Recorded food items include molluscs, echinoderms and fishes. Several species are live bearers. Maximum size is 1 m.

Although the eelpouts have not been reviewed recently, M.E. Anderson has authored or co-authored many papers on Southern Hemisphere zoarcids. Anderson (1994) included some blennioid families in the Zoarcoidei, Anderson (1989) reviewed Pachycara, and Anderson (1992) reviewed Ophthalmolycus. Nelson (2006) summarised the relevant literature.

General References

Anderson, M.E. 1989. Review of the eelpout genus Pachycara Zugmayer, 1911 (Teleostei: Zoarcidae), with descriptions of six new species. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 46(10): 221-242

Anderson, M.E. 1992. Studies on the Zoarcidae (Teleostei: Perciformes) of the Southern Hemisphere. VI. Review of the genus Ophthalmolycus Regan, 1913, with description of a new species from Chile. Special Publication J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 53: 1-10

Anderson, M.E. 1994. Systematics and osteology of the Zoarcidae (Teleostei: Perciformes). Ichthyological Bulletin of the J.L.B. Smith Institute, Grahamstown 60: 1-120

Ayling, T. & Cox, G.J. 1982. Collins Guide to the Seafishes of New Zealand. Auckland : Collins 343 pp. 48 pls 475 figs.

Eschmeyer, W.N. & Fong, J.D. 2012. Species of Fishes by family/subfamily. Catalog of Fishes. Online version updated 15 March 2012. http://research.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/SpeciesByFamily.asp

Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.

Norman, J.R. 1966. Synopsis of Orders, Families and Genera of Recent Fishes and Fish-like Vertebrates. London : British Museum 649 pp.

Common Name References

Anderson, M.E. 2001. Family Zoarcidae. pp. 3493-3494 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3493] (FAO) (Eelpouts)

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