Acantholumpenus mackayi (Gilbert, 1896)
Pighead prickleback
Acantholumpenus mackayi
photo by Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada

Family:  Lumpenidae (Eel pricklebacks)
Max. size:  70 cm SL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 12 years
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 200 m
Distribution:  North Pacific: Hokkaido, Japan to the Okhotsk and Bering seas. Arctic Ocean: Arctic coast of Canada.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 68-76; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 41-48. Caudal fin slightly grayish without dark bands; roof of oral cavity with a dark region (Ref. 559). Spines of pelvic and anal fins rigid and easily discernible from other soft rays (Ref. 559). Eye diameter less than snout length (Ref. 559).
Biology:  Found over mud and sand bottoms to depths of about 56 meters; often in brackish waters (Ref. 51666). Benthic; feeds on worms, crustaceans, sea urchins and molluscs (Ref. 58426).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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