Black Eelpout

This species is distinguished by the following: with scales covering the nape and the entire postorbital dorsal surface of the head (in adults 15.0 cm SL and larger): it differs from L. beringi in having higher counts of dorsal-fin ray (usually 111 or more), anal-fin ray (usually 100 or more), vertebral (usually 119 or more), and gill raker (usually 15 or more); differs from L. hubbsi in having 19-21 pectoral-fin rays (vs. 20-23), position of the first dorsal-finpterygiophore at the sixth or seventh interneural gap (vs. third), and color pattern, for it lacks narrow light bands extending onto dorsal fin and across nape; differs from the 'L. nakamurae group’’ (nakamurae, pectoralis, nishimurai) in having 4 postorbital pores (vs. 1 or 2), the posteriormost without a short tube; lower pectoral-fin lobe rounded, the tips of the rays rounded and the middle rays often branched, fin membrane not incised (vs. pointed, with rays pointed and unbranched, membrane moderately incised); scales often present on base of pectoral fin; light inverted V-shaped bands usually present on body (Ref. 80505).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 109 - 118; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 99 - 109; Vertebrae: 118 - 126

Found on muddy bottoms (Ref. 2850). May be used as bait (Ref. 27436). Flesh considered firm and tasty but not esteemed (Ref. 27436).

fisheries: subsistence fisheries