| Family: |
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Ophidiinae |
| Max. size: |
22.2 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 155 - 525 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Central Atlantic: entire western edge of the Bahamas to Cuba, along the Antilles chain to the Virgin Islands; in the western Caribbean Sea (from Yucatan to Nicaragua). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 120-130; Anal soft rays: 103-110; Vertebrae: 69-72. Rostral spine long and curved, reaching tip of snout, without vertical basal component; peritoneum pale; no median basibranchial tooth patch; head extensively covered with imbricate rows of cycloid scales except for snout and throat; body tapering to point, dagger-shaped (Ref. 34024). |
| Biology: |
Uncommon species (Ref. 34024). Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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