Common Name
Twospine Brotula
Year Described
Günther, 1887
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 132
Anal Fin: 98
Pectoral Fin: 24
Caudal Fin: 8
Vertebrae: 19 precaudal
Body tadpole-shaped with tapering tail. Snout bluntly rounded. Head flattened over mouth. Eyes medium. Anterior nostril tube shaped right above lip on snout. Rear nostril a pit. Head pores present. Mouth large and slightly oblique. Teeth in jaws and on vomer. Palatine teeth present. Spine present on opercle but buried in skin. A second spine lower on opercle faces downward. A skin flap above opercle bearing a single pore. Pectoral fin peduncle short with long rays. Pelvic fin consists of 2 filamentous rays. Dorsal and anal fin continuous with tail. Entire body scaled. Head and fins naked.
Color
Body dark brown to gray. Lips and ridges on head paler. Fins dark with lighter margins.
Size
Maximum size to 220mm SL.
Habitat
Benthic on continental shelf and slope (439-752m).
Range
Known from the Gulf of Mexico and off Brazil.
References
Cohen, D.M., & J. Nielsen. 2002. Diplacanthopoma kreffti (Pisces, Bythitidae), a new species from the Northwest Australian shelf, with comments on the name D. alcockii Goode and Bean, 1896. Arch. Fish. Mar. Res, 50(1), 12.
McEachran, J.D. and J.D. Fechhelm. 1998. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. Volume 1: Myxiniformes to Gasterosteiformes. University of Texas Press, Austin. i-viii + 1-1112.