Eelpouts

Eelpouts are often spotted at Southern Hydrate Ridge (~775 m). Photo Credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF; Dive 1784; V14

The eelpout is similar in appearance to an eel, with long slender bodies and dorsal and anal fins connected to the caudal fin, however they are unrelated benthic ray-finned fish. Eelpouts have the ability to lay eggs as well as have live births.

Small eelpouts (Licenchelys sp.) have been spotted at Southern Hydrate Ridge and around the FLOBN-MOS1 site at about 775 m below the sea surface. However, some deep-water species of eelpout (in the genus Pachycara) can be up to 90 cm in length, and we have seen some of these larger species near the Slope Base (2900 m) site.

References:
www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/179928/eelpout
Marine Life Field Guide (Neptune Canada)