Sea-snail
Otolith description
Otoliths of sea-snail are very small and do not exceed 3 mm in length. The general shape of the otolith is ovally pointed. The sulcus runs straight over of the length of the otolith. The sulcus is clearly visible and open at the ostium. Ostium and cauda are separated by a narrowing of the sulcus. The ostium is slightly wider than the cauda. The surface of the inside and outside is slightly irregular. The margins, especially at the dorsal side, are slightly lobate. The ventral margin is straight or slightly rounded. The dorsal margin is rounded and lobate. The rostrum is large and round and the antirostrum is smaller and pointed. The anterior margin is slightly indented between the rostrum and antirostrum. The posterior margin is rounded and slightly lobate. The inside is flat and the outside convex. The otolith is thin.
Otoliths of sea-snail are similar to clupeidae otoliths, but much smaller. In sprat Sprattus sprattus the otoliths are much rounder and both the sulcus and rostrum are not as developed as in sea-snail otoliths.
When eroded the sulcus becomes less distinct. The rostrum remains visible and becomes more pointed. The surface of the otolith is smoothed.
Otoliths of juveniles are oval, lacking any distinct characters.
Fish length and distribution
Sea snail can grow up to 18 cm. Sea-snail is a bottom-living fish (LIPALIPA.TIF) found in inshore waters, but not in the tidal zone. In the North Sea it is found on mud or muddy-sand, while elsewhere it is found on rocky grounds. Spawning takes place from January to March and eggs are deposited among small algae (Wheeler, 1978, Nijssen and De Groot, 1987, Knijn et al., 1993, Muus et al., 1999).
Sea-snail is found in the Northern Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic.
Sample origin
Fyke and Western Wadden Sea and some specimens for the Southern North Sea.