Polka-dot cusk-eel (Otophidium omostigma) fish species and information / pictures of Polka-dot cusk-eel - Otophidium omostigma

Polka-dot cusk-eel (Otophidium omostigma) fish species information

Scientific Name
Otophidium omostigma

Common Name
Polka-dot cusk-eel

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 102-106; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 82 - 85. A distinct black blotch present just above gill cover; two or three rows of dark brownish blotches on body; dorsal fin with blackish blotches along margin; anal black; caudal pale; snout spine situated between posterior nostril and covered with skin; anal wide, flat spine on opercle; gill rakers short (Ref. 13608).

Classification

Classified By

Jordan & Gilbert, 1882

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Cusk eels (Ophidiiformes)

Family

Cusk-eels (Ophidiidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: North Carolina to Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico; also in the Lesser Antilles; extending to northern South America (Ref. 5217).

Range

37°N - 10°N

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

10 m

Depth To - meters

50 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 10 - 50 m (Ref. 7251)

Trophic Level

3.43 s.e. 0.55 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

12.9 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5625 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (16 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