Shorthead cusk-eel (Ophidion dromio)

Scientific name: Ophidion dromio Lea & Robins, 2003

The Shorthead cusk-eel (Ophidion dromio) is a marine fish of the family Ophidiidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, USA. off Colombia, Venezuela and Guyana.

Biology

Dorsal soft rays (total): 116-129; Anal soft rays: 92 - 102; Vertebrae: 67 - 69. This species is characterized by the following features: D 116-129 (usually 119-125); A 92-102 (usually 98-100); pectoral fin rays 19-21 (rarely 20); precaudal vertebrae 16-17 (usually 17); caudal vertebrae 50-52 (usually 51), total vertebrae 67-69 (usually 68); gill rakers on first gill arch with 2 rudiments above, 4 developed but short gill rakers below; short, blunt and bulbous head; dorsal tissue of head usually flaccid, inflated; subterminal mouth; dorsal and ventral profiles of body nearly parallel for much of its length; unmarked body; short and unequal pelvic-fin rays, longer reaching under anterior third of opercle.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Ophidion dromio
Family
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels)
Order
Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
14.6
Depth range
51–183 m (167–600 ft)
Environment
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 51 - 183 m, usually ? - 100 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: USA. off Colombia, Venezuela and Guyana.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (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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