Common Name
Manatee Cusk-eel
Year Described
Goode & Bean, 1883
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 106-107
Anal Fin: 85-87
Pelvic Fin: 2
Pectoral Fin: 19-25
Caudal Fin: 8
Gill Rakers: 12-15 long rakers on first arch
Pseudobranchial filaments:
Branchiostegal rays: 8
Vertebrae: 12-14 (precaudal), (caudal), (total)
Body elongate and tapering. Head relatively large. Snout inflated, projecting and larger than eye diameter. Opercular spine short. Maxillary sheathed. Teeth very small in jaws. Two basibranchial tooth patches. Vomerine tooth patch triangular. Pectoral fin large (reaches anus). Body covered in small scale.
Color
Head and body brown. Gut area dark. Dorsal and anal fins with thick black edges.
Size
Maximum size at least 170mm.
Habitat
Benthopelagic from 850-2340m.
Range
The Gulf Stream region off the eastern U.S. and southern Brazil.
References
Mincarone, M. M., J.G. Nielsen & P.A. Costa. 2008. Deep-sea ophidiiform fishes collected on the Brazilian continental slope, between 11 and 23 S. Zootaxa: 1770(1), 41-64.