Scientific Name
Lepophidium prorates
Common Name
Prowspine cusk eel
Biology
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). Body rather uniformly pigmented, slightly paler below or with only a series of dark dashes along lateral line or markings confined to vertical fins; esophagus, gill chamber (sometimes with scattered melanophores dorsally) and oral cavity pale (Ref. 34024). Lateral line with dark dash between each pore anteriorly; vertical fins with dark margins (particularly anal fin), basal section of dorsal fin not spotted (Ref. 34024).