Silver cusk eel (Lepophidium microlepis)

Scientific name: Lepophidium microlepis Gilbert, 1890

Silver cusk eel (Lepophidium microlepis)

The Silver cusk eel (Lepophidium microlepis) is a marine fish of the family Ophidiidae. Native range: Eastern Pacific, Baja California and Gulf of California to Peru.

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 black, gill chamber and oral cavity pale; dorsal fin unspotted.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Lepophidium microlepis
Family
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels)
Order
Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
30.0
Common length
20.0
Depth range
70–320 m (230–1050 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 70 - 320 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: Baja California and Gulf of California to Peru.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries:
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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