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Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels) >
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels) > Ophidiinae
Etymology: Lepophidium: Latin, lepus, leporis = rabbit + Greek, ophis = serpent (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Professor Carl Levitt (Leavitt) Hubbs (1894–1979) was a giant of American ichthyology. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range 73 - 209 m (Ref. 91765). Tropical; 10°N - 4°N, 84°W - 77°W (Ref. 91765)
Distribution
Territories | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Point map | Introductions | Faunafri
Pacific Coast of northern Colombia to Costa Rica.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 21.7 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 91765)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal soft rays (total): 128 - 134; Anal soft rays: 108 - 113; Vertebrae: 71 - 73. This species have the following characteristics: pyloric caeca usually 4-8 in 2 whorls, typically 2-3 in first 2 whorls and 1in third; usually 3 rudimentary gill rakers on the upper arm of the first arch and 5-7 developed rakers on lower arm, 1-6 rudimentary rakers anteriorly on the lower arm; total gill rakers 9-14; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines 3-4; roof of mouth posterior to the palatine and vomerine tooth patches blackish, also the gill bars, upper pharyngeal region, esophagus, caeca, and anterior part of the intestine; pectoral fins dusky; dorsal and anal fins have a dark edge; males have the anterior rib thickened (Ref. 91765).
Body shape (shape guide): eel-like; Cross section: compressed.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Robins, C.R., R.H. Robins and M.E. Brown, 2012. A revision of Lepophidium (Teleoastei, Ophidiidae), with descriptions of eight new species. Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History 52(1):1-94. (Ref. 91765)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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