Shortbeard cusk-eel (Lepophidium brevibarbe)

Scientific name: Lepophidium brevibarbe Cuvier, 1829

Shortbeard cusk-eel (Lepophidium brevibarbe)

The Shortbeard cusk-eel (Lepophidium brevibarbe) is a marine fish of the family Ophidiidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, northeastern Florida, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Spotty distribution in the Antilles. Absent from the Bahamas.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 128-136; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 104 - 116. 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 dark gray or brownish gray without blotches; dorsal and anal fins dark, becoming gradually darker at the extreme blackish edge; pelvic fin blackish in anterior half and pale in posterior half; gill arch blackish or brownish; head covered with scales except for snout, lips, and branchiostegal membrane.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Lepophidium brevibarbe
Family
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels)
Order
Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
26.0
Common length
20.0
Depth range
6–90 m (20–295 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 6 - 90 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: northeastern Florida, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Spotty distribution in the Antilles. Absent from the Bahamas.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
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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