Scientific Name
Ophidion iris

Common Name
Rainbow cusk eel

Biology
Uncommon species ranging from the shore to 86 m depth (Ref. 34024). Found in rubble bottoms (Ref. 9329). Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205).

Classification

Classified By

Breder, 1936

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Cusk eels (Ophidiiformes)

Family

Cusk-eels (Ophidiidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Central Pacific

Distribution

Eastern Central Pacific: Gulf of California and adjacent coast of Mexico to Banderas Bay.

Range

32°N - 20°N

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

86 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 86 m (Ref. 34024)

Trophic Level

3.55 s.e. 0.57 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

25.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 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 to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100)

Resilience

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

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)