Common Name
Mottled Cusk-eel
Year Described
Fowler 1941
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 133-140
Anal Fin: 110-119 (usually 112-115)
Pelvic Fin: 2
Pectoral Fin: 20-22 (usually 21)
Caudal Fin: 9
Gill Rakers: 8-9 (total developed and rudiments)
Pseudobranchial Filaments:
Vertebrae: 14-16 (precaudal), 58-61 (caudal), 73-77 (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 (2-4).
Color
Body and head tan with numerous close-set, faint brown blotches. Belly paler. A dark spot on rear edge of opercle. Dorsal fin with interrupted black blotches and pale interspaces, and faint spots basally. Anal fin with black margin. Tail pale with dark upper and lower margins. Roof of mouth, gill area, and gut pale. Esophagus dark.
Size
Maximum size to 296mm SL.
Habitat
A relatively shallow water species found on soft bottoms from 26-280m.
Range
North Carolina to the Yucatan Peninsula.
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.