Common Name
Blackedge Cusk-eel
Year Described
Cuvier, 1829
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 120-134 (usually 126-132)
Anal Fin: 99-110 (usually 103-109)
Pelvic Fin: 2
Pectoral Fin: 20-23 (usually 21-22)
Caudal Fin: 9
Gill Rakers: 8-16 (total developed and rudiments)
Pseudobranchial Filaments: 10 well developed
Vertebrae: 14-16 (precaudal), 53-58 (caudal), 69-74 (total)
Body elongate and tapering symmetrically rearward to a pointed tail. Body depth greatest at dorsal fin origin. Snout blunt. A rostral spine is present on the snout tip. Eyes moderate. Mouth fairly large, extending to about even with rear margin of orbit. Supramaxilla present, with ventral hooked process. Teeth present on dentary, premaxilla, vomer, palatines, and pharyngeals. Basibranchial teeth absent. Opercular spine strong. Dorsal and anal fins long and confluent with caudal fin. Pelvic fin jugular and filamentous. Pectoral fins fanlike. Body and part of head with small cycloid scales. Lower cheek, opercle, base of pectoral fin and isthmus naked. Lateral line simple and incomplete. Pyloric caeca usually 3-5.
Color
Body and head yellow-brown, brown or gray, fading to white on the belly. Dorsal and anal fins with dark margins. Pelvic fin black basally. Lateral line not marked. Inside of mouth, gill area, and gut unmarked.
Size
Maximum size to 273mm SL. Common over 200mm SL.
Habitat
A shallow water species found on soft bottoms from 5-115m.
Range
North Carolina to Uruguay, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.
References
Robins, C. R., R.H. Robins & M.E. Brown. 2012. A revision of Lepophidium (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with descriptions of eight new species. Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History. University of Florida. 94 pages.