Norwegian record Eelpout: 560 g

About Eelpout

The eelpout (Zoarces viviparus), also called the viviparous eelpout, is a common fish along the whole Norwegian coast. It is seldom longer than 30 cm but can reach about 50 cm. The body is long and slim, with a broad head, large eyes and thick lips. The dorsal, tail and anal fins form one continuous fringe, and towards the tail the dorsal fin dips lower and carries short spines. It is yellowish brown or greyish, paler below, with dark blotches along the sides and on the dorsal fin. It is one of the few bony fish that gives birth to live young: mating takes place in late summer, and in winter the female delivers from a few dozen up to about 400 fully formed young, 3.5–5.5 cm long. It lives among seaweed and eelgrass from the shore to around 40 m and eats crustaceans, snails, bivalves and larvae. Norwegian Red List 2021: Least Concern (LC).

Sources: Artsdatabanken, Store norske leksikon, Wikipedia

• Habitat: Saltvann
• Best month: Juli

See the species guide

Biggest Eelpout in FishComp

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How to register a Norwegian record

1. Norwegian sport-fishing records are registered with Villmarksliv, not with FishComp. Read the rules before you do anything else with the fish.
2. Records are based on weight and approved by a jury. You give the weight and length, where it was caught, the gear you used and any witnesses.
3. Keep your photos and notes from the catch. Logging it in FishComp does not register a record.