Lumpenus sagitta Wilimovsky, 1956
Snake prickleback
Lumpenus sagitta
photo by Nichols, J.

Family:  Lumpenidae (Eel pricklebacks)
Max. size:  51 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 8 years
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 425 m
Distribution:  North Pacific: Sea of Japan and Sakhalin, Russia to St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea to Adak Island in the Aleutian chain and San Francisco, California, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 66-72; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 45-50. Caudal fin narrow with oval free end; anal fin occasionally absent; pectorals large, bluntly pointed (Ref. 6885). Pale green on dorsal surface, cream ventrally; brown or green bars along midside and streaks or spots on upper part of sides; brown bars and dots on dorsal fin form bands parallel to fin margin and, on caudal fin, produce vertical bars; other fins pale; lining of mouth pale (Ref. 6885).
Biology:  Found in shallow bays and offshore waters (Ref. 2850); on sand mixed with silt, pebbles, and stones to depths of 425; usually shallower than 200 meters (Ref. 51666). Sometimes takes hooks using marine worms as bait (Ref. 6885).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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