Common Name
Blotched Cusk-eel
Year Described
Fowler, 1948
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 133-144
Anal Fin: 98-105
Pectoral Fin:
Caudal Fin: 9
Pelvic Fin: 2
Gill Rakers: 2 rudiments, 4 well developed on first arch
Vertebrae: 16 precaudal, 48-49 caudal
Body elongated with dorsal and ventral profiles almost parallel except for the tapered tail. Head rounded to straight in profile. Snout projects over mouth. Ethmoid spine blunt. Mouth subterminal. Jaw extending rearward to rear of orbit. Small villiform teeth on premaxilla, dentary, maxilla, vomer, and palatines. Opercular spine present but buried in skin. Dorsal and anal fins continuous with tail. Anal origin well behind dorsal origin. Pelvic fins long and unequal (reaching opercle). Pectoral fins relatively large, reaching beyond dorsal origin. Branchiostegal rays number seven. Body covered in small basketweave scales. Head without scales. Scales barely touch.
Color
Body and head brownish dorsally, grading to white on the belly. Numerous large blotches in 2-3 rows cover body and top of head (most equal to or larger than eye). Dorsal fin with blotches and a black margin. Anal fin largely black with a paler base. Pectoral fin blackish. Pelvic fins whitish.
Size
Maximum size to ~300mm SL.
Habitat
Found over soft bottoms from 4-60m.
Range
South Carolina to the northern Gulf of Mexico to Texas.
References
Fowler, H. W. 1948. Description of a new cusk (Otophidium grayi) from the east coast of Florida. Notulae Naturae (Philadelphia) No. 204: 1-4.
McEachran, J. D. & J. D. Fechhelm 1998. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. Volume 1: Myxiniformes to Gasterosteiformes. Univ. of Texas Press, Austin. 1-1112.