Common Name
Upsilon Cusk-eel
Year Described
Robins, 1960
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 125-133 (usually 127-130)
Anal Fin: 104-112 (usually 106-108)
Pelvic Fin: 2
Pectoral Fin: 20-22 (usually 20-21)
Caudal Fin: 9
Gill Rakers: 8-9 (total developed and rudiments)
Pseudobranchial Filaments:
Vertebrae: 14-15 (precaudal), 54-58 (caudal), 69-72 (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 (1-4).
Color
Body and head tan. Body with numerous faint brown spots and blotches that become darker rearward. Belly paler. Dark markings on opercle and on maxilla. 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 270mm SL.
Habitat
A relatively shallow water species found on soft bottoms from 27-165m.
Range
S. Gulf of Mexico to N. Brazil on the continental coast. Also off Puerto Rico and south to Trinidad/Tobago.
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.
Other Notes
Most similar to Lepophidium jeannae and the E. Pacific L. pardale and completely allopatric from each other.