©Timo Moritz/DMM

Hooknose

D-Steinpicker; GB-Hooknose; DK-Panserulk; PL-Lisica; EST-Rüühärg; RU-Европейская лисичка; FIN-Partasimppu; S-Skäggsimpa

Characters

1) Many barbels on underside of head.
2) Two pairs of spines on tip of snout.
3) Pectoral fins fan-like enlarged.
4) Head slightly flattened.
Usually 13 to 15 cm, maximum 21 cm length.

Similar species

- Unmistakable

Biology

Not easy to detect, bottom-living fish. Prefers sandy grounds near the coast and partially in estuaries; in winter also in deeper waters. Life expectancy 3 years; reaches sexual maturity with 1 year; eggs are layed on seaweed from February to April, eggs have a very long duration of development of 10 to 11 months.

Diet

Feeds on crustaceans and worms.

Importance

Of no commercial importance.