Ogilbia nudiceps Møller, Schwarzhans & Nielsen, 2005
Slickhead brotula

Family:  Dinematichthyidae (Viviparous brotula)
Max. size:  5.3 cm SL (male/unsexed); 7.4 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 30 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 63-72; Anal soft rays: 49-56; Vertebrae: 40-41. The species is characterized by having the following: Vertebrae 11 + 29-30 = 40-41, dorsal fin rays 63-72, anal fin rays 49-56; small eyes (1.4-2.6, x = 1.9 % SL); outer pseudoclasper broad wing-shaped with slightly expanded tip; inner pseudoclasper with two stout branches, anterior pointing forward, posterior straight, with fleshy lobe in between, penis with abrupt change from thick base to thin tip; opercular spine with single, sharp tip, no scales on cheeks; otolith elongate, length: height ratio 2.4 (Ref. 57883).
Biology:  Inhabits rocky and sandy bottoms. A 63 mm SL female specimen (USNM 375546) contained 160 embryos, 4-5 mm TL, with three short rows of small pigment spots posteriorly on the body. No eggs. A 55 mm SL female (SIO 65-185) contained about 600 eggs, 0.5 mm in diameter (Ref. 57883).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 April 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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