Blackedge cusk-eel (Lepophidium pheromystax)

Scientific name: Lepophidium pheromystax Robins, 1960

Blackedge cusk-eel (Lepophidium pheromystax)

The Blackedge cusk-eel (Lepophidium pheromystax) is a marine fish of the family Ophidiidae. Native range: Western Central Atlantic, Puerto Rico and from Colombia to northeastern Brazil.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 125-130; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 104 - 110. 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. Round brown blotches on body; black blotches along margin of dorsal fin; pectoral fin and middle rays of caudal fin pale.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Lepophidium pheromystax
Family
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels)
Order
Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
23.0
Common length
18.0
Depth range
50–125 m (164–410 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 50 - 125 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Central Atlantic: Puerto Rico and from Colombia to northeastern Brazil.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

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

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