Distribution and some features of the biology of the eelpout Lycodes tanakae Jordan et Thompson, 1914 (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) in the Tatar Strait, Sea of Japan

Based on data from studies that were performed in 2006, 2007, and 2009, we analyzed the distribution and some features of the biology of the eelpout Lycodes tanakae, which inhabits the Tatar Strait. The young of this species (<30 cm in TL) predominantly occur to the north of 50° N. The largest individuals (>71 cm in TL) are found to the south of 49° N and medium-sized fish occur throughout the studied area. In the Tatar Strait, L. tanakae inhabits the 50?C615 m depth range, but the majority of the eelpouts (67.9%) were caught from depths of 200?C600 m. Small individuals of this species (<30 cm in TL) occur at depths of 50?C200 m, while medium-sized and large fish (>30 cm in TL) can be found at all depth horizons that were surveyed. The mean linear size of L. tanakae increases with an increase in the depth of their habitat. The relationship between the spatial distribution of L. tanakae and water temperature regime is discussed. The nutritional spectrum of L. tanakae includes 18 food items, with fish and shrimp predominating. Young L. tanakae (<30 cm in TL) are benthophages, 41?C50-cm individuals feed mainly on cephalopods and fish.