| Family: |
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae |
| Max. size: |
37.5 cm SL (female) |
| Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range - 1862 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Central Pacific: south of New Caledonia. |
| Diagnosis: |
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). |
| Biology: |
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). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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