Polypera greeni: Facts & Habitat

About Polypera greeni

Polypera greeni is the North Pacific lobefin snailfish, also known in modern references as Liparis greeni.

Range and natural history

Its range includes the Commander, Pribilof and Aleutian islands and extends southeast to Washington. FishBase records it from tide pools and shallow nearshore water. This is consequently a coastal snailfish, despite the family’s strong association in popular accounts with deep-sea species.

ITIS explicitly lists Liparis greeni as a synonym of Polypera greeni. NOAA’s Arctic fish checklist explains that the species was formerly known under Polypera. Both combinations therefore refer to the fish discussed here.

Sources: Liparis greeni species summary; Taxonomy and name history

Guide sources

Research reviewed 2026-10-19.

Liparis greeni species summary — FishBase
Taxonomy and name history — ITIS

Range

Where it lives

84.5%of mapped records

Share of 71 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 2 states.

Share of records by state

Habitat

Water and movement

Water: WoRMS records this species in the sea.

Classification

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Superclass: Actinopterygii
Class: Teleostei
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Family: Liparidae
Genus: Polypera
Species: Polypera greeni
ITIS TSN: 167587
WoRMS AphiaID: 315311
GBIF key: 5201440
Outside the US: ITIS also files it in Canada.

Common questions about Polypera greeni

What is the scientific name of Polypera greeni?

The scientific name is Polypera greeni, in the family Liparidae. Classification follows ITIS.

Does Polypera greeni live in fresh water or salt water?

WoRMS records this species in the sea.

Where has Polypera greeni been recorded in the United States?

GBIF has observations in 2 states, with the most records in Alaska, Washington. The map shows observation records, which do not establish the complete natural range.