Common Name
Blackear Cusk-eel
Year Described
Robins, Robins & Brown, 2012
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 128-137 (usually 130-135)
Anal Fin: 105-114 (usually 108-112)
Pelvic Fin: 2
Pectoral Fin: 21-26 (usually 23-25)
Caudal Fin: 9
Gill Rakers: 9-15 (total developed and rudiments)
Pseudobranchial Filaments:
Vertebrae: 14-15 (precaudal), 56-59 (caudal), 70-74 (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, rather short 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 3-4 (2-4).
Color
Head and body uniformly brown, without markings. Dorsal and anal fins with black margins. Caudal fin with dusky center. Inside of mouth, gill area, and esophagus dark (creating dark cheek externally). Rest of gut pale.
Size
The largest member of the genus in the region. Maximum size to 308mm SL.
Habitat
A shallow water species found on soft bottoms from 91–329m.
Range
Honduras to French Guiana on the continental Caribbean coast.
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.