HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesCusk eelsViviparous brotulasLongtail cusk Longtail cusk (Brosmolus longicaudus) Scientific name: Brosmolus longicaudus Machida, 1993 The Longtail cusk (Brosmolus longicaudus) is a marine fish of the family Bythitidae. Native range: Indo-West Pacific, Australia. BiologyDorsal soft rays (total): 124-129; Anal soft rays: 90 - 94; Vertebrae: 56 - 59. This species is distinguished by the following characters: anterior nostril low on snout; copulatory organ of males with a simple and flap-like, small pair of (outer) pseudoclaspers; large species (> 59 mm SL, as indicated from a pre-adult male), very slender (body depth at origin of anal fin 10.9-11.7 % SL); ventral fin base to anal fin origin 23.3-24.3 % SL); 14-15 precaudal vertebrae, 56-59 total vertebrae; D 124-129; A 90-94; 23-24 pectoral fin rays; 7 branchiostegal rays; V in D 2.4-2.5; scale patch on cheek only on head; scales on operculum absent; upper preopercular pore absent; separate opening for the first and second lower preopercular pore; elongated otolith, its length to height 2.1, sulcus straight and short, its otolith length to sulcus length 2.1, fused colliculi; maxilla slightly expanded posterio-ventrally; anterior anal fin pterygiophore is variable in length.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameBrosmolus longicaudusFamilyBythitidae (Viviparous brotulas)OrderOphidiiformes (Cusk eels)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length5.8EnvironmentMarine; reef-associatedClimateTropicalDistributionIndo-West Pacific: Australia.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: of no interestResilienceLow, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Assuming Fec SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026