Zoarcidae

Zoarcidae, commonly known as eelpouts, are a family of fish found mainly in cold, deep waters of the Northern Hemisphere. They have elongated, eel-like bodies, often with soft, slimy skin and small fins. Adapted to harsh marine environments, many species live near the sea floor, some at great depths. Eelpouts vary in size and appearance but generally lack prominent scales. They play a role in ocean ecosystems as predators of small invertebrates and fish, and some are of interest in scientific research due to their resilience to cold and deep-sea conditions.