Guianan cusk-eel (Ophidion guianense)

Scientific name: Ophidion guianense Lea & Robins, 2003

The Guianan cusk-eel (Ophidion guianense) is a marine fish of the family Ophidiidae.

Biology

Dorsal soft rays (total): 109-122; Anal soft rays: 91 - 96; Vertebrae: 63 - 66. This species is diagnosed by the following characters: D 109- 122 (usually 112-117); A 91-96 (usually 94 or 95), pectoral-fin rays 19 or 20 (modally 19); vertebrae, precaudal 15-16, caudal 47-50 (usually 48-50), total 63-66 (usually 64-65); lower arm of first gill arch with 5-6 developed rakers; short head, inferior mouth but not distinctly overhung by snout; dorsal and ventral profiles of body nearly parallel for much of its length; unmarked body; pelvic rays intermediate in length, reaching under middle of opercle.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Ophidion guianense
Family
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels)
Order
Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
11.7
Depth range
18–61 m (59–200 ft)
Environment
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 18 - 61 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Saba Bank (eastern Caribbean Sea) to Venezuela and Suriname, 18-61 m. Probably widespread along the Guianan coast and westward in the southern Caribbean Sea.
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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