False kinglip (Hoplobrotula gnathopus)

Scientific name: Hoplobrotula gnathopus Regan, 1921

False kinglip (Hoplobrotula gnathopus)

The False kinglip (Hoplobrotula gnathopus) is a marine fish of the family Ophidiidae. Native range: Western Indian Ocean, Natal, South Africa and a few localities somewhat to the north.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 99-103; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 78 - 82. Rather elongate body with blunt head; eye almost as long as snout; upper jaws ends well behind eye; 3 sharp spines on preopercle and 1strong opercular spine; 1 median and a pair of basibranchial tooth patches; 5-6 developed rakers on anterior gill arch; pelvic fins inserted beneath eye; precaudal vertebrae 15. Snout spine absent. Greenish or pinkish in color.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Hoplobrotula gnathopus
Family
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels)
Order
Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
45.0
Depth range
180–550 m (591–1804 ft)
Environment
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 180 - 550 m
Climate
Deep-water
Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: Natal, South Africa and a few localities somewhat to the north.
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.

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