| Family: |
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Brotulinae |
| Max. size: |
94 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 8,520.0 g |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range - 650 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: off the continental coast from Florida, USA and the Gulf of Mexico to northern South America, including islands in the Caribbean. Eastern Atlantic: off Senegal to Angola. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 109-117; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 86-90. Body completely covered with small, imbricate, cycloid scales; barbels present on snout (6) and chin (6); branchiostegal rays 8; median basibranchial tooth patch absent; developed gill rakers on first arch 4 or fewer; pelvic fin rays inserted at about level of preopercle, well behind eye (Ref. 34024). Ventral fins dark, gradually becoming darker at the extreme blackish edge (Ref. 13608). |
| Biology: |
Common species (Ref. 34024). Adults benthopelagic (Ref. 34024) down to 650 m, but most often on the continental shelf (Ref. 3686), on sandy and muddy bottoms (Ref. 2683). Juveniles common in reefs (Ref. 34024). Smaller silvery specimens taken far out at sea in the epipelagic (Ref. 34024). Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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