|
Ophichthus kusanagi Hibino, McCosker & Tashiro, 2019 Kusanagi snake eel |
| Family: | Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae | |||
| Max. size: | 65.1 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range 285 - 480 m | |||
| Distribution: | Northwest Pacific: Japan. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Vertebrae: 158-163. This species is distinguished by the following characters: head 7.3-9.1% TL; tail 58-60% TL; body depth at gill opening 2.6-3.0% TL; snout 18-20% HL; posterior nostril opening is slightly above upper lip, concealed by a broad dermal flap; mandibular pores 6; preopercular pores 2; teeth on maxilla and vomer biserial; pectoral fin short (length 22–31% HL), its posterodorsal tip pointed, not elongated; dorsal-fin origin is behind pectoral-fin tip 2.0-2.5 times pectoral-fin length (i.e. horizontal distance from a vertical through gill opening to the origin 3.0-3.5 in the fin length and 0.7-1.0 times head length); margin of anal fin not dark-colored margin; pectoral-fin rays 13; total vertebrae 158-163, mean vertebral formula 19-60-160 (Ref. 131479). | |||
| Biology: | ||||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||