| Family: |
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Ophidiinae |
| Max. size: |
24.8 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 6 - 250 m |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California, Mexico to northern Peru (off Chiclayo) and along the outer coast of Baja California; offshore at Isla del Coco, Costa Rica, in the Islas Perlas, Panama, and Galapagos (record needs confirmation). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 129-142; Anal soft rays: 109-121; Vertebrae: 70-75. This species is characterized by the following: usual number of vertebrae, precaudal 15 (14), caudal 57-58 (56-60), total 72-73 (70-75); fin rays, dorsal 128-133 (125-137), anal 108-111 (106-116) pectoral 22-23 (21-24); pyloric caeca 3-5, usually 3 in one tier, 1 in second, sometimes 4+1 or 2+1+1 (3 tiers); first gill arch with rudimentary rakers 3 (rarely 2) on the upper arm, 1-3 rudimentary rakers (0-4) anteriorly on lower limb; total rakers usually 9 (8-12); dorsal-fin origin between neural spines 3-4 (27 specimens) or 4-5 (9 specimens) (Ref. 91765). |
| Biology: |
Uncommon species (Ref. 34024) inhabiting sandy and muddy bottoms (Ref. 9329). Reproductive strategy possibly similar to other members of this family featuring oviparity, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205). Biology little known (Ref. 9329). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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