| Family: |
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae |
| Max. size: |
53.5 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 394 - 2365 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: Madagascar, the East and South China seas and Papua New Guinea. |
| Diagnosis: |
Head large; mouth subterminal. Eye diameter less than snout length. Opercular spine weak, broad, and flattened. Prominent cephalic sensory pores below eyes and on rear margin of preoperculum. Median basibranchial tooth patches 2. Vomer with V-shaped tooth patch. Anterior gill arch with 10-12 long rakers. Pectoral fins 12-15 rays, the longest about 1/2 or more in SL. Pelvic fins with 2 joined rays in each. Caudal fin rays 6. Branchiostegal rays 8. Precaudal vertebrae 15-16. Cycloid scales small, deciduous, covering head, body, and bases of dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins. Lateral line indistinct (Ref. 43943). |
| Biology: |
A rare species inhabiting the deep-sea floor in the tropical to temperate waters (Ref. 43943). Reproductive strategy possibly similar to other members of this family featuring oviparity, 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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