Snailfishes of the central California coast: video, photographic and morphological observations

Video and photographic images of snailfishes (Liparidae) collected by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, augmented by specimens collected simultaneously, were analysed. Nine species in five genera were identified, including Careproctus melanurus, Careproctus ovigerus, Careproctus longifilis, Careproctus gilberti, Careproctus filamentosus, Osteodiscus cascadiae, Nectoliparis pelagicus, Paraliparis dactylosus and Rhinoliparis barbulifer. Voucher specimens were collected of all except C. melanurus, C. gilberti and C. filamentosus. In addition, individuals of the Paraliparis‘rosaceus’ species group were abundant but could not be identified to species. Many liparids were identified only to family, but an individual of a very distinctive unknown species, presumably undescribed, was videotaped. Relative abundance of C. melanurus was estimated, and several in situ snailfish behaviours are described for the first time.