Teleostei (teleosts) >
Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels) >
Bythitidae (Livebearing brotulas)
Etymology: Cataetyx: Greek, kata = down + Greek, etix, stixo, stizo = to prick, to puncture.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 910 - 990 m (Ref. 34024). Deep-water
Northwest Pacific: Okinawa Trough.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 57.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 559)
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 84; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 56. Upper half of body depressed, snout strongly depressed. Eye small, developed at upper surface of head. Head and body covered with tiny scales. Skin very thick. Three gill rakers developed on 1st gill arch.
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: flattened.
Rare species (Ref. 34024).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Nielsen, J.G., D.M. Cohen, D.F. Markle and C.R. Robins, 1999. Ophidiiform fishes of the world (Order Ophidiiformes). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of pearlfishes, cusk-eels, brotulas and other ophidiiform fishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(18):178p. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 34024)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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