Liparis atlanticus

Description

The Atlantic seasnail or Atlantic snailfish (Liparis antlanticus) is a fish belonging to the genus Liparis. It is a small tadpole-like fish with a soft, scaleless body and complex ventral sucker. The ventral fins have been re purposed to be a sucker. They have a single dorsal fin with about six spines differentiated from the soft rays by a slight notch. This species reaches a maximum length of about 5 inches. It ranges from Newfoundland to New Jersey. The Atlantic seasnail lives in the immediately subtidal region to depths of 183 m (100 fathoms.) In northern parts of its range, it is found on the shore line. It breeds in mid-winter, the eggs being laid amongst hydroid growths on the sea bed, and on stony ground. Its food is mainly small crustaceans, particularly shrimps, but occasionally small fishes are eaten.