Liparis fabricii

Liparis fabricii grows to a total length of up to . The shape of its body resembles that of a tadpole, with a large rounded head and abdomen tapering towards a narrow tail. The peritoneum of L. fabricii is distinctively dark, visible in both the interior of the mouth and behind the gill covers. When alive, the peritoneum also has some silvery markings, but once dead and preserved these rapidly disappear, making it appear all dark. The pectoral fins are large with the tip reaching the anal fin. The pelvic fins located just below the pectorals are modified into a suction disc. Both the anal and the single dorsal fin are very large, arising from around the middle of the body to where they overlap the small rounded caudal fin. The body of L. fabricii is smooth and completely scaleless. L. fabricii can be distinguished from other snailfishes by its dark peritoneum and by the number of soft rays on its anal fin. ==Taxonomy and nomenclature==

Liparis fabricii was first scientifically described in 1847 by the Danish zoologist Henrik Nikolai Krøyer. It was named after Otto Fabricius, who mentioned it (without formally naming it) in Fauna Groenlandica from 1780. It is classified under the genus Liparis of the snailfish family Liparidae. It is also known as dökki sogfiskur in Icelandic, Fabricius ringbug in Danish, and limace gélatineuse in French. ==Distribution and habitat==

Among snailfishes, Liparis fabricii, Liparis bathyarcticus and Liparis tunicatus (the kelp snailfish) are the three species with the northernmost distribution range. from just beneath the pack ice in open water to deep in the ocean bottom. It usually prefers muddy substrates at depths of about , although adults often are seen over silty sand bottoms with stones, commonly near kelp, at depths of in Franz Josef Land. The species is common, at least around Greenland and at Franz Josef Land. ==Ecology==

Liparis fabricii preys on small benthic and pelagic invertebrates, mainly crustaceans (usually hyperiid amphipods) and marine worms. It uses its disc-shaped mouth to suck up prey from the ocean floor and water column. It is an important food source for various predatory fish and seabirds. Little is known of the biology of Liparis fabricii. The spawning season is during summer and autumn. Females lay 485 to 735 eggs each. The eggs are large, with diameters of . The larvae are pelagic. Based on trawl surveys where many hundred have been caught in a relatively short period, L. fabricii likely occurs in schools. ==Importance==

Liparis fabricii is not commercially fished, but it is a common bycatch in Arctic fishing.{{cite journal ==See also==