Family Cryptacanthodidae - wrymouths

Wrymouths are bottom dwelling elongated fishes, inhabiting waters seven meters and deeper of the north Pacific and north Atlantic. Remaining near the bottom these fish seldom are caught by sport or commercial fishers.

Giant wrymouth- Delolepis gigantea

Remarks: Seldom caught by sport anglers and observed only once in the bay.

Identification: Body is long and slender, almost eel shaped. The dorsal and the anal fins are long and both connect to the rounded caudal fin. Pelvic fins are absent. Rows of dark spots and blotches line the tan colored body. This species approaches 117cm.

Range: Humboldt Bay to the Bearing Sea. Depth ranges from 7m to 140m over soft bottoms.