Blotchfin cusk eel (Lepophidium stigmatistium)

Scientific name: Lepophidium stigmatistium Gilbert, 1890

Blotchfin cusk eel (Lepophidium stigmatistium)

The Blotchfin cusk eel (Lepophidium stigmatistium) is a marine fish of the family Ophidiidae. Native range: Eastern Central Pacific, Gulf of California and outer coast of Baja California.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 122-130; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 99 - 109; Vertebrae: 68 - 71. 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. Body rather uniformly pigmented, slightly paler below or with only a series of dark dashes along lateral line or markings confined to vertical fins; gill chamber black, esophagus dusky, oral cavity pale; dorsal fin with dark spots between rays number 4-14;. Branchiostegal rays: 7. Pelvic fin consists of one ray with two branches of unequal length.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Lepophidium stigmatistium
Family
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels)
Order
Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
23.6
Depth range
20–238 m (66–781 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 20 - 238 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Eastern Central Pacific: Gulf of California and outer coast of Baja California.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
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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