Bigeye brotula (Glyptophidium longipes)

Scientific name: Glyptophidium longipes Norman, 1939

The Bigeye brotula (Glyptophidium longipes) is a marine fish of the family Ophidiidae.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 121-145; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 96 - 115. Prominent head and body with an attenuate caudal part; head bones with large, thin crests; eye equal to or greater than length of snout; opercular spine broad, flat and weak; basibranchial with 2 median and a pair of tooth patches; long gill rakers on anterior arch 21 to 41. Caudal fin rays 7-8; stem of pseudobranchial filaments dark.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Glyptophidium longipes
Family: Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels)
Order: Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 26.0
Depth range: 360–825 m (1181–2707 ft)
Environment: Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 360 - 825 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: Western Indian Ocean: frequently encountered on the upper part of the continental slope off East Africa, reaches south to Bazaruto Island in Mozambique. Ranges extends to Durban, South Africa.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026