BIOLOGIYA MORYA, 2010, Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 174-185

Features of biology of the eelpout Zoarces fedorovi (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) from Tauisk Bay, Sea of Okhotsk

© 2010 E. A. Chegodaeva, I. A. Chereshnev

Institute of Biological Problems of the North, Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Magadan 685000

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This paper presents results obtained from many years of study of the main biological features of the viviparous eelpout Zoarces fedorovi from Tauisk Bay, Sea of Okhotsk. During winter and spring, this species is limited to strongly freshened seaward areas of the bay. During summer and fall, Z. fedorovi mainly inhabits areas near river mouths influenced by the tide, where it occurs even at low tide, staying in cold desalinated water for up to 12 hours a day. Data on the age, sex and size structure of catches, linear and weight growth, fecundity, and the size and growth of larvae and fry of Z. fedorovi during prenatal development are given.

Key words: eelpout, Zoarces fedorovi, Tauisk Bay, Sea of Okhotsk, biotopic distribution, measurements, age, growth, viviparity, fecundity, larvae, fry, development.