| Family: |
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Ophidiinae |
| Max. size: |
24.6 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 20 - 238 m |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Pacific: from the Gulf of California (Bahía de Los Angeles in the northern Gulf to Bahía de La Paz in the south) and from the outer coast of Baja California (Cedros Island) up to near the southern tip of the peninsula. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 123-131; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 103-109; Vertebrae: 80-84. This species is characterized by the following: usual number of vertebrae, precaudal 14 (rarely 13), caudal 53-54 (55), total 81-82 (80-84); number of fin rays, dorsal 123-131, anal 103-109, pectoral usually 20-21 (19-24); pyloric caeca usually 6 (5-7) in 2 whorls, usually 5-6+1; first gill arch with rudimentary rakers 4 (3-6) on the upper arm, 8 (7-10) developed rakers on the lower limb, 5-9 rudimentary rakers anteriorly on the first arch; total rakers 16-19; dorsal-fin origin often between neural spines 4-5 (11 specimens) and rarely between 2-3 or 3-4 (1 specimen) (Ref. 91765). |
| Biology: |
Rare species (Ref. 34024) inhabiting soft bottom (Ref. 9329). Oviparous, with planktonic larvae (Ref. 36413). Oval, pelagic eggs float in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205). Little is known of this species (Ref. 9329). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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