First data on the occurence and ecology of Giant hookear sculpin Artediellus ingens (Cottidae) off the Kuril Islands

Abstract

   Based on materials collected during monitoring of bottom trawl fishing, the occurrence, some aspects of ecology and size composition of giant hookear sculpin Artediellus ingens were examined for the first time off the Middle Kuril Islands. It has been established that this species is a regular bycatch at the depths 250–488 m at the temperature of the near-bottom water layer of 1.8–3.9 °C. Most likely A. ingens belongs to mesobenthal ichthyocene. In the trawl catches, this species is represented by individuals of 10–19 cm TL. Comparison of the maximum body length with that of the other species of the genera Artediellus indicated this species is one of the largest.