Bassozetus normalis Gill, 1883

Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae
Max. size:  32.9 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 1760 - 5062 m
Distribution:  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:  Almost exclusive inhabitant of the continental rise, but also caught from lower slope to abyssal depths (Ref. 84269). 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: 08 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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