Variegated snailfish (Liparis gibbus)

Scientific name: Liparis gibbus Bean, 1881

The Variegated snailfish (Liparis gibbus) is a marine fish of the family Liparidae. Native range: Arctic, Northwest to Northeast Atlantic, Northeast Pacific, Greenland, Canada, and southeastern Alaska.

Biology

Occurs among seaweeds or rocks. Often found in empty scallop shells. Benthic species. Feeds on crustaceans, such as amphipods and crabs.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Liparis gibbus
Family: Liparidae (Snailfishes)
Order: Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 52.0
Depth range: 0–647 m (0–2123 ft)
Environment: Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 647 m, usually 100 - 200 m
Climate: Polar
Distribution: Arctic, Northwest to Northeast Atlantic, Northeast Pacific: Greenland, Canada, and southeastern Alaska.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=4,000-12,000)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026