Specklefin cusk eel (Lepophidium negropinna)

Scientific name: Lepophidium negropinna Hildebrand & Barton, 1949

Specklefin cusk eel (Lepophidium negropinna)

The Specklefin cusk eel (Lepophidium negropinna) is a marine fish of the family Ophidiidae. Native range: Eastern Pacific, Gulf of California, outer coast of Baja California, and off northwestern South America.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 138-148; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 116 - 121; Vertebrae: 75 - 77. 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. Dorsal fin with dark margin and dark mottling or spots throughout the fin; precaudal vertebrae 15-17, caudal vertebrae 59-64. Pelvic fin consists of one ray with two branches of unequal length.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Lepophidium negropinna
Family
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels)
Order
Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
50.0
Common length
35.0
Depth range
40–390 m (131–1280 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 40 - 390 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California, outer coast of Baja California, and off northwestern South America.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of potential interest
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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