Lowfin snailfish (Paraliparis calidus)

Scientific name: Paraliparis calidus Cohen, 1968

The Lowfin snailfish (Paraliparis calidus) is a marine fish of the family Liparidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada south to the Gulf of Mexico.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 58-63; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 54 - 58. Head, fins and belly black; body paler, a dusky white, with small pigment spots. Lacks an adhesive disc and pelvic fins.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Paraliparis calidus
Family: Liparidae (Snailfishes)
Order: Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 14.2
Depth range: 150–1207 m (492–3960 ft)
Environment: Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 150 - 1207 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada south to the Gulf of Mexico.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming tmax>3)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026