Tadpole-fish

D-Froschdorsch; GB-Tadpole fish; DK-Sortvels; PL-Żabogłów; EST-Konnluts; RU-Konnluts; FIN-Mustaturska; S-Paddtorsk

Characters

1) One small barbel on the chin.
2) Pelvic fins near the throat and thread-like.
3) First dorsal fin very small.
●) No free filaments behind first dorsal fin.
●) Body tadpole-like with big head.
●) Body dark-brown to black; fins with white edge.
Maximum up to 30 cm length, usually smaller.

Similar species

Burbot - head more slender and body more elongated; first dorsal fin well developed.

Biology

Nocturnal hunter, during the day it hides crevices and shipwrecks. Lives solitary in a restricted area. Often in lower depth, but also occurring in up to 100 m depth.

Diet

Feeds mainly on invertebrates like starfish, crustaceans, worms and molluscs, but also on smaller fish.

Importance

Of no commercial importance.