Ophidion antipholus Lea & Robins, 2003 Longnose cusk-eel |
photo by
Marotta, D. |
Family: | Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Ophidiinae | |||
Max. size: | 21 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
Environment: | benthopelagic; marine; depth range 10 - 69 m | |||
Distribution: | Western Atlantic. USA (from South Carolina to Palm Beach, Florida) and Mexico (off northern coast of Yucatan). | |||
Diagnosis: | Dorsal soft rays (total): 111-133; Anal soft rays: 94-103; Vertebrae: 65-69. This species is characterized by the following features: D 111-133 (usually 116-123); A 94-103; pectoral fin rays 18 or 19 (rarely 20 or 21); precaudal vertebrae 15-17 (usually 16), caudal vertebrae 49-53 (usually 50-52), total vertebrae 65-69 (usually 66-68); lower arm of first gill arch with 5 or 6 developed rakers; rounded head profile with mouth distinctly inferior; dorsal and ventral profiles of body nearly parallel for much of its length; unmarked body; short and unequal pelvic-fin rays, longer reaching to point directly under anterior edge of opercle (Ref. 81834). | |||
Biology: | Observed on open sand and mud bottoms (Ref. 81834). 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: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435) | |||
Threat to humans: | harmless |