| Family: |
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Ophidiinae |
| Max. size: |
29.6 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 25 - 280 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: S North Carolina through the Florida Keys and around the Gulf of Mexico; with one record from the Cuban side of the Straits of Florida. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 133-140; Anal soft rays: 110-119; Vertebrae: 73-77. Rostral spine long and curved, reaching tip of snout, without vertical basal component; peritoneum pale; no median basibranchial tooth patch; head extensively covered with imbricate rows of cycloid scales except for snout and throat; body tapering to point, dagger-shaped (Ref. 34024). |
| Biology: |
Uncommon species (Ref. 34024). Reported to reach 280 m depth (Ref. 7251). 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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