| Family: |
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae |
| Max. size: |
64 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 1335 - 2310 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: widespread, from southern Japan, eastern Philippines and off New Caledonia; including northern Indian Ocean off western coast of India. |
| Diagnosis: |
This species is distinguished by the following characters: precaudal vertebrae 15-17; first gill arch with long gill rakers 18-21, with very few intermittent patches; HL:HD 1.73-1.81; strong head spines on ethmoidal, lacrimal, prefrontal, interorbital, supraorbital, sphenotic, supratemporal, inner and outer posttemporal, inner and outer preopercular rims, and 5th infraorbital; opercular spine weak and flat; maxilla no scales; small opercular flap with ridges on lower part; lower lateral line pores until beginning of anal fin 15; moderately broad dentition patch on vomer with 1-3 rows of teeth, on palatines with 2-4 rows of teeth; otolith with single colliculum; OL:OH = 1.04-1.27; OL:TCL = 1.50-2.14 (Ref. 125143). |
| Biology: |
Uncommon species (Ref. 34024). Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 15 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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