Psychrolutes phrictus Stein & Bond, 1978
Blob sculpin
Psychrolutes phrictus
photo by Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada

Family:  Psychrolutidae (Fatheads)
Max. size:  70 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 9,500.0 g
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 500 - 2800 m
Distribution:  North Pacific: Japan (Ref. 559) and the Bering Sea to off San Diego, California, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-20; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-14. Many small cirri scattered on head and body; no preopercular spine; branchiostegal membranes fused to isthmus; peritoneum pale (Ref. 559).
Biology:  Occurs in very deep waters (Ref. 2850). Feeds on sea pens, crabs and mollusks (Ref. 2850).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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