Arctic Alligatorfish: Ulcina olrikii (Lütken, 1877)
The most abundant poacher in the Arctic Ocean
Size
- 8.6 cm (3.4 in)
Color & Characteristics
- Brownish, with darker bands or spots; posterior margin of dorsal and anal fins chalky white in males
- One dorsal fin
- Relatively short body, broad head
- No supralateral plates
- Nasal spines present, well developed
- Short barbel on posterior end of maxilla (upper jaw)
Habitat
- Arctic faunal region
- Benthic, at depths of 7–520 m, usually < 100 m
- Mostly on muddy and muddy-sandy substrate
Feeding
- Feed on gammarid amphipods, polychaete and nemertine worms, ostracods.
- Eaten by halibuts (Hippoglossus) and other bottom fishes
Life cycle
- Little is known
- Eggs demersal
- Counts of well developed eggs in ovaries range from 110 to 260
Page Authors: Kitty and Tony Mecklenburg
Created: Feb 20, 2009
