Bassozetus taenia (Günther, 1887)
photo by Reiner, F.

Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae
Max. size:  25.4 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 1783 - 5605 m
Distribution:  Western and Eastern (south of the Cape Verde and few specimens from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge) Atlantic:
Diagnosis:  Snout inflated; eyes much smaller than snout; opercular spine weak or absent; preopercle without spines and posteriorly expanded almost reaching posterior margin of opercle; pseudobranchial filaments 2 (Ref. 34024).
Biology:  Rare species (Ref. 34024). Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205). Of the 7 female specimens caught, 1 with 0.6 mm eggs. No identifiable stomach contents were found (Ref. 84269).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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