Bassozetus robustus Smith & Radcliffe, 1913
Robust assfish
Bassozetus robustus
photo by SFSA

Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae
Max. size:  64 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 1035 - 4420 m
Distribution:  Circumglobal: In tropical to temperate waters.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 115-123; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 94-102; Vertebrae: 64. 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:  Benthopelagic at bathyal depth (Ref. 56809). Found on the continental slope (Ref. 75154). Common species (Ref. 34024). Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205). Of the 36 female specimens caught, 3 with 0.5-1.0 mm eggs. No identifiable stomach contents were found (Ref. 84269).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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