Common Name
Gold Brotula
Year Described
Dawson, 1966
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 60-71
Anal Fin: 41-52
Caudal Fin: 12-15
Pectoral Fin: 17-22
Vertebrae: 38-40
Gill Rakers: 16-20 (on anterior arch)
Lateral Line: 14 dorsal, 23 lateral neuromasts
Diagnosed by: anterior nostril close to upper lip; lower anterior gill arch with uninterrupted long rakers. 5-6 long gill rakers. Eyes small but distinct. One pair of pseudoclaspers. 2-3 posterior infra-orbital pores, one upper preopercular pore, and 2-3 lower preopercular pores. Opercular spine embedded in skin. No pseudobranchial filaments. Predorsal area and abdomen scaled. Head, pectoral base, and pelvic area naked (Møller et al., 2004).
Color
Dark reddish brown or brown with dark edges to the median fins. Juveniles brown with dark pigment speckles.
Size
Adults range from 37-63mm SL. Newborns under 20mm SL.
Habitat
Shallow muddy bottoms from 0-8m. Burrows into the substrate.
Range
Gulf of Mexico: from Texas to the Florida Keys.
References
Dawson, C. E. 1966. Gunterichthys longipenis, a new genus and species of ophidioid fish from the northern Gulf of Mexico. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington v. 79: 205-214.
Møller, P. R., W. Schwarzhans & J. G. Nielsen. 2004. Review of the American Dinematichthyini (Teleostei: Bythitidae). Part I. Dinematichthys, Gunterichthys, Typhliasina and two new gerera. aqua, Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology v. 8 (no. 4): 141-192.