Teleostei (teleosts) >
Gadiformes (Cods) >
Muraenolepididae (Eel cods)
Etymology: Muraenolepis: Latin, muraena = morey eel + Greek, lepis = scale (Ref. 45335); pacifica: The name of the species is related to its origin in the Pacific Ocean (Ref. 78500).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 200 - 450 m (Ref. 76910). Deep-water; 53°S - 59°S, 141°W - 140°W (Ref. 76910)
South Pacific: Pacific-Antarctic Ridge, Ridge of Hercules.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 39.0 cm TL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 173 - 187; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 126 - 133; Vertebrae: 72 - 75. The caudal part is shorter in proportions. The postanal distance over the body length, and the postanal distance over the ante-anal distance are diagnostic, especially on the field. Other Muraenolepis are quite different.
Body shape (shape guide): eel-like.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Prirodina, V.P. and A.V. Balushkin, 2007. New species of eel cods Muraenolepis pacifica sp. nova (Muraenolepidae) from the Ridge of Hercules (Pacific-Antarctic Ridge). J. Ichthyol. 47(3):201-206. (Ref. 76910)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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