Common Name
Smallheaded Cusk-eel
Year Described
Zugmayer, 1911
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 110-111
Anal Fin: 77-79
Pelvic Fin: 2
Pectoral Fin: 22-23
Caudal Fin: 8
Gill Rakers: 5-6 long rakers on first arch
Pseudobranchial filaments: 2
Branchiostegal rays: 6 (rarely 7)
Vertebrae: 18-19 (precaudal), (caudal), 63 (total)
6-7 branchiostegal rays, Eye diameter 10.7-12.3% in HL, predorsal length 17.1-18.9% SL
Small head, anterior nostril without thick raised rim, vomerine tooth patch diamond shaped, no basibranchial patch
Color
Body pale brown in preservative with a darker head, opercle, and gut region.
Size
Maximum size to 625mm SL.
Habitat
Largely bottom dwelling from 3,465–5,044m.
Range
Off SE Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and Suriname.
References
Ohashi, S., H. Imamura & M. Yabe. 2012. Record of a Rare Ophidiid Fish, Barathrites iris (Actinopterygii: Teleostei: Ophidiiformes), from off Southern Japan. Species Diversity: 17(2), 169-172.
Other Notes
The closely related Barathrites parri has seven branchiostegal rays, a larger eye, longer pre-dorsal length, and the presence of a basibranchial tooth patch.