Common Name
Marbled Cusk-eel
Year Described
Goode & Bean, 1885
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 120-130
Anal Fin: 103-110
Pelvic Fin: 2
Pectoral Fin: 20-24 (usually 22-23)
Caudal Fin: 9
Gill Rakers: 9-13 (total developed and rudiments)
Pseudobranchial Filaments:
Vertebrae: 14-15 (precaudal), 55-58 (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, 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 (3-5).
Color
Body pale brown to gray with a conspicuous pale lateral line area bordered above and below by a line of dark spots. Numerous dark spots are present from between eyes to dorsal fin. Dorsal and anal fins with dark margins extending to tail (sometimes interrupted on the dorsal fin). Inside of mouth dark, gill area pale with dense melanophores, and gut usually darkly pigmented.
Size
Maximum size to 222mm SL.
Habitat
A deeper water species found on soft bottoms from 155-516m.
Range
The Caribbean Sea from the Bahamas to Puerto Rico and from the Yucatan to Nicaragua.
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 kallion in pattern and habits, but differs in meristics and absence of fringes on the snout.