Spatial and Length Distribution, Sex Composition, and Feeding of the Notched-Fin Eelpout Zoarces elongatus (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) in the Sea of Okhotsk

摘要

Based on the data from six bottom trawl surveys carried out on the shelf of the Sea of Okhotsk in 1997-2007, the features of the distribution, size and sex structure, and food composition of the notched-fin (east) eelpout Zoarces elongatus were analyzed. It was established that this species regularly occurs in trawl catches only in the eastern part of the sea and that the density of its schools decreases with depth. It was recorded that females of the notched-fin eelpout are larger than males. The sex ratio of the fishes varies from year to year. Females prevail at depths less than 25 m and males prevail at depths greater than 25 m.