Biology of eelpout Zoarces elongatus (Zoarcidae) from Tauysk Bay, the Sea of Okhotsk

Abstract

Based on the material collected in Tauysk Bay, the Sea of Okhotsk, from 1997 to 2014, the features of spatial distribution, body length and body weight composition, sex ratio, and some aspects of growth rate and reproduction of eelpout Zoarces elongatus are described. The representatives of the species prefer the biotopes with the littoral composed of large stones or pebbles, mainly from the upper border of the intertidal zone to the depths between 10 and 20 m. The catches mainly include the individuals with the body length 300−400 mm and body weight 0.1−100.0 g at the age between 5+ and 6+. Maximum registered body length, body weight, and age are as follows: 560.0 mm, 742 g, and 11+. The sex ratio (males: females) is 1: 1.2. In Tauysk bay, the release of juveniles occurs from November to December, and fecundity ranges from 20 to 185 eggs.