Tubenose Poacher

Subarctic poacher also found, but not commonly, in southern Chukchi Sea

Little is known; Spawn in late summer; Live to about 5 years

Feed predominantly on mysids, also euphausiids, copepods, other small epibenthic crustaceans; Eaten by flounders (Hippoglossus), great sculpin (Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus), other bottom fishes

Subarctic-arctic; Benthopelagic, above sand and gravel bottoms; Unlike most poachers, swims well above the bottom; Intertidal and subtidal to depth of about 128 m, frequently among eelgrass (Zostera), less commonly among algae (Laminaria); Abundant in sheltered bays during summer, descending deeper for winter

Dorsal part of body and head dark brown; Underside of head and anterior part of body white, sharply demarcated from dark dorsal part; Long, slender poacher with mouth at the end of a tubelike snout; Long, dark fleshy barbel on chin in Chukchi Sea and northern Bering Sea specimens

Caudal fin rounded (Ref. 28197). Preserved specimens dark brown, darker dorsally, paler ventrally (Ref. 28197). A stripe on head, from tip of snout to, through part between temporal ridge and uppermost preopercular spine, to posterior upper part of opercle (Ref. 28197). Fins pale, except for the dark caudal fin (Ref. 28197). Tiny spots on dorsal and pectoral fin rays (Ref. 28197).

Dorsal spines (total): 5 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 9; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 8 - 13

Always live in coastal shallows (50-70m) and experience sharp seasonal temperature variations ranging from 1.8-12°C (Ref. 41410).

Inhabits intertidal areas and to 55 m depth, possibly to 128 m (Ref. 2850). Often found among eelgrasses or seaweeds (Ref. 2850).

Pallasina barbata in an aquarium

The tubenose poacher (Pallasina barbata) is a species of poacher native to the northern Pacific Ocean. This species occurs at depths of from 0 to 105 metres (0 to 344 ft). This species grows to a length of 17 centimetres (6.7 in) TL. This species is the only known member of its genus.