Neobythites zora
Neobythites zora Uiblein & Nielsen, 2023

Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae
Max. size:  13.2 cm SL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 417 - 427 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Fiji.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 91-91; Anal soft rays: 75-75; Vertebrae: 53-53. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: hind margin of preopercle with two small spines; D 91; A 75; P 27; precaudal vertebrae 13; total vertebrae 53; pseudobranchial filaments 5; long rakers on anterior gill arch 10; head length 23% Sl; pelvic-fin length 34% Sl, fins extending well beyond anus; orbit length 5.5% Sl and 24% hl; longest gill filament 1.3% Sl and 5.7% hl; dorsal fin with two ocelli, larger central ocellus placed just behind vertical line through anus, ocellus spot black, its distance 46% Sl and spot covers 12 dorsal-fin rays, and smaller posterior ocellus placed just behind midpoint of dorsal fin, spot distance 69% Sl and spot covers 7 dorsal-fin rays; both ocellus spots not extending ventrally onto body; absence of vertical bars on body; otolith length 5.9% Sl, sulcus length 4.8% Sl, and ostium height 16% sulcus length and 23% ostium length (Ref. 137826)
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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