| Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Ophidiinae |
| 21 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
|
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 10 - 69 m |
| Western Atlantic. USA (from South Carolina to Palm Beach, Florida) and Mexico (off northern coast of Yucatan). |
|
Dorsal soft rays (total): 111-133; Anal soft rays: 94-103; Vertebrae: 65-69. This species is characterized by the following features: D 111-133 (usually 116-123); A 94-103; pectoral fin rays 18 or 19 (rarely 20 or 21); precaudal vertebrae 15-17 (usually 16), caudal vertebrae 49-53 (usually 50-52), total vertebrae 65-69 (usually 66-68); lower arm of first gill arch with 5 or 6 developed rakers; rounded head profile with mouth distinctly inferior; dorsal and ventral profiles of body nearly parallel for much of its length; unmarked body; short and unequal pelvic-fin rays, longer reaching to point directly under anterior edge of opercle (Ref. 81834). |
| Observed on open sand and mud bottoms (Ref. 81834). Reproductive strategy possibly similar to other members of this family featuring oviparity, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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