Prowspine cusk eel (Lepophidium prorates)

Scientific name: Lepophidium prorates Jordan & Bollman, 1890

Prowspine cusk eel (Lepophidium prorates)

The Prowspine cusk eel (Lepophidium prorates) is a marine fish of the family Ophidiidae. Native range: Eastern Pacific, northern Gulf of California to southern Colombia.

Biology

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; esophagus, gill chamber (sometimes with scattered melanophores dorsally) and oral cavity pale. Lateral line with dark dash between each pore anteriorly; vertical fins with dark margins (particularly anal fin), basal section of dorsal fin not spotted.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Lepophidium prorates
Family
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels)
Order
Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
27.1
Depth range
4–90 m (13–295 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 4 - 90 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: northern Gulf of California to southern Colombia.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
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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