Teleostei (teleosts) >
Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels) >
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels) > Neobythitinae
Etymology: Spectrunculus: Latin, spectrum = apparition (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Günther.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 800 - 4300 m (Ref. 36731), usually 2000 - 3000 m (Ref. 58302). Deep-water; 57°N - 59°S (Ref. 80689)
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 127 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 34024)
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 135 - 148; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 101 - 112; Vertebrae: 77 - 88. This species is distinguished and differs from S. crassus by the following characters: number of dorsal-fin rays 135-148 (121-139), anal-fin rays 101-112 (vs. 91-102), total vertebrae 77-88 (vs. 71-78), otolith ostium depth in % of sulcus length 19-29 (vs. 30-40) (Ref. 80689).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: oval.
Common species (Ref. 34024). Based on stomach radiographs, contents include crustaceans, gastropods, remains of polychaetes, and detritus (Ref. 80689). Oviparous, with planktonic larvae (Ref. 36413). Oval, pelagic eggs float in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Uiblein, F., J.G. Nielsen and P.R. Møller, 2008. Systematics of the ophidiid genus Spectrunculus (Teleostei: Ophidiiformes) with resurrection of S. crassus. Copeia 2008(5)542-551. (Ref. 80689)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
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