Lepophidium aporrhox Robins, 1961
Dusky cusk eel
Lepophidium aporrhox
photo by FAO

Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Ophidiinae
Max. size:  18.9 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 46 - 186 m
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic: Caribbean Sea, from Honduras to Trinidad and along the Atlantic Coast of northern South America, to at least as far as French Guiana.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 106-115; Anal soft rays: 92-100; Vertebrae: 62-66. Rostral spine long and curved, reaching tip of snout, without vertical basal component; peritoneum pale; no median basibranchial tooth patch; head extensively covered with imbricate rows of cycloid scales except for snout and throat; body tapering to point, dagger-shaped (Ref. 34024).
Biology:  Uncommon species (Ref. 34024). Found on the continental shelf, on soft bottoms (Ref. 5217). Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205). Consumed fresh (Ref. 5217).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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