Shortbeard cusk-eel (Lepophidium brevibarbe) fish species and information / pictures of Shortbeard cusk-eel - Lepophidium brevibarbe

Shortbeard cusk-eel (Lepophidium brevibarbe) fish species information

Scientific Name
Lepophidium brevibarbe

Common Name
Shortbeard cusk-eel

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 128-136; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 104 - 116. 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 dark gray or brownish gray without blotches; dorsal and anal fins dark, becoming gradually darker at the extreme blackish edge; pelvic fin blackish in anterior half and pale in posterior half; gill arch blackish or brownish; head covered with scales except for snout, lips, and branchiostegal membrane (Ref. 13608).

Classification

Classified By

Cuvier, 1829

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Cusk eels (Ophidiiformes)

Family

Cusk-eels (Ophidiidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: northeastern Florida, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Spotty distribution in the Antilles. Absent from the Bahamas (Ref. 26938).

Range

33°N - 23°S, 98°W - 34°W

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

6 m

Depth To - meters

90 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 6 - 90 m (Ref. 7251)

Trophic Level

3.58 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

26.0 cm

Common Length

20.0 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

Fisheries: minor commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated