Specklefin cusk eel (Lepophidium negropinna) fish species and information / pictures of Specklefin cusk eel - Lepophidium negropinna

Specklefin cusk eel (Lepophidium negropinna) fish species information

Scientific Name
Lepophidium negropinna

Common Name
Specklefin cusk eel

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 138-148; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 116 - 121; Vertebrae: 75 - 77. 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). Dorsal fin with dark margin and dark mottling or spots throughout the fin; precaudal vertebrae 15-17, caudal vertebrae 59-64 (Ref. 34024). Pelvic fin consists of one ray with two branches of unequal length (Ref. 36413).

Classification

Classified By

Hildebrand & Barton, 1949

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Cusk eels (Ophidiiformes)

Family

Cusk-eels (Ophidiidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Pacific

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California, outer coast of Baja California, and off northwestern South America.

Range

32°N - 9°S, 115°W - 77°W

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

40 m

Depth To - meters

390 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 40 - 390 m (Ref. 34024)

Trophic Level

3.67 s.e. 0.59 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

50.0 cm

Common Length

35.0 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: of potential interest

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (37 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

Least Concern (LC)