| Family: |
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae |
| Max. size: |
12.6 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 185 - 935 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: all over the West Indies except for the southern part of the Caribbean Sea and the main part of the Gulf of Mexico. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 97-101; Anal soft rays: 82-86. Ocelli and vertical and horizontal stripes on fins and body absent. Hind margin of preoperculum with 1 spine. Pseudobranchial filaments 2-3. Teeth granular. Ventral fin rays almost reaching anus, 17-22% SL (Ref. 40522). |
| Biology: |
Common species (Ref. 34024) found to feed on crustaceans (Ref. 32505). A specimen was caught in a glass sponge Margaritella coeloptyloides at 361 m depth off Cuba (Ref. 32505). 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: 11 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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