| Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae |
| 37.5 cm SL (female) |
|
bathydemersal; marine; depth range - 1862 m |
| Western Central Pacific: south of New Caledonia. |
|
This species is distinguished by the following characters: elongated and compressed body; rounded snout, slightly protruding over tips of jaws; fully scaled head, body scales larger than those on head with 20 in an oblique row; no basibranchial tooth patches; dentigerous vomer a minute, circular plate; sagittal otolith with distinct pointed process at the anterior end; 29 pectoral fin-rays; ventral fins almost reaching anus, 17.5% SL); 10 long gill rakers on anterior arch; chocolate brown coloration (Ref. 84269). |
| Known only from the holotype, a semi-ripe, female caught at continental slope depth. Stomach and intestine remains indicate that the species feeds on or close to the bottom (remains of crustaceans: 7 amphipods (10 - 40 mm in length) and 1 isopod ca. 10 mm in length (Ref. 84269). Reproductive strategy possibly similar to other members of this family featuring oviparity, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205). |
|
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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