Common Name
Pepperfin Cusk-eel
Year Described
Robins, Robins & Brown, 2012
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 117-122
Anal Fin: 95-101
Pelvic Fin: 2
Pectoral Fin: 20-23 (usually 21-22)
Caudal Fin: 9
Gill Rakers: 8-9 (total developed and rudiments)
Pseudobranchial Filaments:
Vertebrae: 14 (precaudal), 51-53 (caudal), 65-67 (total)
Body slender, 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 (3-4).
Color
Body and head brown with whitish spots along lateral line and upper trunk. Belly paler. Pectoral fin with dark uypper and lower edges. Dorsal and anal fins with dark margins. Rear of mouth, gill bars, and esophagus are blackish. Inner opercle and hindgut pale.
Size
Maximum size to 172mm SL.
Habitat
A shallow water species found on soft bottoms from 60-124m.
Range
North Carolina to Venezuela, 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.