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Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels) >
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels) > Neobythitinae
Etymology: Neobythites: Greek, neos = new + Greek, bythitis, -idos = it is at the bottom, sunken (Ref. 45335); unicolor: From the lack of color markings (Ref. 40522).
More on authors: Nielsen & Retzer.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 185 - 935 m (Ref. 34024). Deep-water
Western Atlantic: all over the West Indies except for the southern part of the Caribbean Sea and the main part of the Gulf of Mexico.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 12.6 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 32505)
Dorsal soft rays (total): 97 - 101; Anal soft rays: 82 - 86. Ocelli and vertical and horizontal stripes on fins and body absent. Hind margin of preoperculum with 1 spine. Pseudobranchial filaments 2-3. Teeth granular. Ventral fin rays almost reaching anus, 17-22% SL (Ref. 40522).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Common species (Ref. 34024) found to feed on crustaceans (Ref. 32505). A specimen was caught in a glass sponge Margaritella coeloptyloides at 361 m depth off Cuba (Ref. 32505). Reproductive strategy possibly similar to other members of this family featuring oviparity, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205).
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
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