Teleostei (teleosts) >
Perciformes/Zoarcoidei (Eelpouts and pricklebacks) >
Zoarcidae (Eelpouts) > Gymnelinae
Etymology: Bilabria: Latin, bi = two + Latin, labrum = lip (Ref. 45335); gigantea: Name from Latin ‘gigantis’ meaning large; refers to the species attaining the largest body size (to 40.8 cm TL) known for a gymneline eelpout.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 70 - 180 m (Ref. 75208). Temperate; 46°N - 41°N, 142°E - 144°E (Ref. 75208)
Northwest Pacific: Japan.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 31.3 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 75208)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal soft rays (total): 117 - 126; Anal soft rays: 98 - 107; Vertebrae: 118 - 127. This species is distinguished with the following set of characters: interorbital pores 2-3; third supraorbital (supraoccipital) pore is present posteromesial to eye; usually no vomerine and palatine teeth; body and tail with characteristic W-shaped saddles; maximum length can reach over 40 cm SL (Ref. 75208).
Body shape (shape guide): eel-like.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Anderson, M.E. and H. Imamura, 2008. Two new gymneline eelpouts (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) from Hokkaido, Japan. Bull. Natl. Mus. Nat. Sci. Ser. A. Suppl. 2:59-67. (Ref. 75208)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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