| Liparis tunicatus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Suborder: | Cottoidei |
| Family: | Liparidae |
| Genus: | Liparis |
| Species: | L. tunicatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Liparis tunicatus J. C. H. Reinhardt, 1836[1] | |
Liparis tunicatus, or thekelp snailfish, is a species ofsnailfish from the genusLiparis.[1] It can be found in marine,demersal waters at a depth range from 0 to 620 m (0–2,034 ft).[1] The kelp snailfish lives in the Arctic and Northwest Atlantic Ocean amongkelp.[1] The species is common, at least around Greenland andFranz Josef Land.[2][3] Abottom feeder, it eats small crustaceans.[1] At Franz Josef Land, itspawns in March at a depth of 6–25 m (20–82 ft), with the egg clusters attached to kelp.[2]
The kelp snailfish is among the northernmost living species in its family, together with species likeLiparis bathyarcticus andL. fabricii.[2]
The fish grows to a maximumtotal length of about 16.5 cm (6.5 in).[2] It has small dark spots and can have pale stripes.[4]Liparis tunicatus has a small gill opening.[4] It is sometimes confused with juveniles of the relatedL. gibbus.[3]
