Common Name
Brazilian Cusk-eel
Year Described
Robins, Robins & Brown, 2012
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 116-122 (usually 117-120)
Anal Fin: 96-103 (usually 98-100)
Pelvic Fin: 2
Pectoral Fin: 21-25 (usually 22-23)
Caudal Fin: 9
Gill Rakers: 14-17 (total developed and rudiments)
Pseudobranchial Filaments:
Vertebrae: 14-15 (precaudal), 51-54 (caudal), 65-69 (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 5-6 (4-7).
Color
Body tan to brown, grading to whitish on belly. No markings apparent on body. Dorsal and anal fin with dark margins becoming thicker rearward. Base of tail black. Inside of mouth, gill area, and esophagus is black. Rest of gut is unmarked.
Size
Maximum size to 164mm SL.
Habitat
A shallow water species found on soft bottoms from 7-66m.
Range
Venezuela to N. Brazil north of the Amazonian plume.
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.