Eelpout
Scientific Name: Family Zoarcidae
Category: fish
Brief Description
A slender, elongated, eel-like fish found among seaweed and rocks in the intertidal zone.
Characteristics
Long, tapered body, dorsal and anal fins confluent with the tail fin, often brownish or grayish for camouflage, smooth skin.
Habitat
Intertidal and subtidal zones, often tucked under rocks or hidden within macroalgae like bladderwrack or sea lettuce.
When to Find It
Year-round, best observed during low tides.
Conservation Status
N/A
Ecological Role
Mid-level predator in rocky intertidal ecosystems, feeding on small crustaceans and mollusks; serves as prey for larger fish and birds.
Easily Confused With
Gunnels or Pricklebacks; distinguish by the Eelpout's unique fin structure and generally more robust head compared to the very thin Gunnel.
Observation Tips
Look beneath damp seaweed or lift rocks gently in the low tide zone; always return rocks to their original position to protect the habitat.
Interesting Facts
Despite their name and appearance, eelpouts are true bony fish and are not closely related to common eels. They are known for being bottom-dwellers that move with a snake-like motion.
User Notes
Puget Sound