Alcockia rostrata (Günther, 1887)
photo by FAO

Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae
Max. size:  35 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 2761 - 4040 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Japan and New Caledonia.
Diagnosis:  Elongated body with depressed head bearing sharp spines; eye diameter much shorter than snout; suborbital bones membranous; maxillary sheathed posterodorsally; opercular spine flat and weak; 7 developed rakers on anterior gill arch.
Biology:  Rare species (Ref. 34024). Minimum depth reported by Ref. 30370. Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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