snailfish

Snailfish, or liparids, are a family of marine ray-finned fishes (Liparidae) comprising numerous species adapted to a wide range of depths and temperatures. They are characterized by soft, often gelatinous bodies that lack large scales, a relatively broad head, and a distinctive ventral suction disc formed by modified pelvic fins, which many species use to cling to rocks or move along the seafloor. The dorsal and anal fins typically run along much of the body, imparting a loose, eel-like profile.

Distribution and habitat: Snailfish have a nearly cosmopolitan distribution in cold and temperate waters and range from shallow coastal zones to the deepest ocean trenches. Some species inhabit the deep sea and are among the deepest-living fishes, with records of individuals near 8,000 meters depth in the Mariana Trench.

Ecology and reproduction: They feed on small invertebrates, crustaceans, and polychaetes found on the seafloor. Most species lay eggs (oviparous); in many liparids, males guard and aerate the eggs until hatching, a form of parental care observed in several species.

Taxonomy and human relevance: The family Liparidae contains hundreds of species. Snailfish are not commonly used as food, and most are of limited commercial value. They are primarily of interest for deep-sea biology, physiology, and their adaptations to extreme pressure and cold environments.