Blackedge cusk-eel (Lepophidium pheromystax) fish species and information / pictures of Blackedge cusk-eel - Lepophidium pheromystax

Blackedge cusk-eel (Lepophidium pheromystax) fish species information

Scientific Name
Lepophidium pheromystax

Common Name
Blackedge cusk-eel

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 125-130; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 104 - 110. 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). Round brown blotches on body; black blotches along margin of dorsal fin; pectoral fin and middle rays of caudal fin pale (Ref. 13608).

Classification

Classified By

Robins, 1960

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Cusk eels (Ophidiiformes)

Family

Cusk-eels (Ophidiidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Central Atlantic

Distribution

Western Central Atlantic: Puerto Rico and from Colombia to northeastern Brazil.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

50 m

Depth To - meters

125 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 50 - 125 m (Ref. 34024)

Trophic Level

3.51 s.e. 0.56 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

23.0 cm

Common Length

18.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5001 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Unknown

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (24 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated