Common Name
Bearded Brotula
Year Described
Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 109-117
Anal Fin: 86-90
Pectoral Fin: 23-26
Caudal Fin: 9-15
Pelvic Fin: 2
Gill Rakers: 3 developed on first arch
Branchiostegal Rays: 8
Vertebrae: 15+40 = 55 (total)
Body elongated, robust, and tapering rearward. Snout longer than eye diameter in adults. Front nostril equidistant between rear nostril and upper lip. Mouth large and rear margin extending past orbit. Multiple bands of teeth in jaw. Three pairs of barbels (up to 5 pairs) on snout and three pairs of barbels on chin. Dorsal and anal fins continuous withy caudal fin. Pelvic fin jugular. Pectoral fin large and fanlike. Scales small, cycloid and completely covering body. Scales above lateral line number 19-23.
Color
Body and fins range from reddish-brown, olive-brown, to medium brown. Markings can be absent or restricted to random black spots. Lips are often pale pink to reddish. Barbels are usually pale. Fin margins darkening and often with a thin white or yellow margin in juveniles. Eyes blue-black.
Size
Maximum size to 94cm SL.
Habitat
Juveniles found in shallow water around reefs and become deeper with age. Adults benthopelagic in much deeper water (50-650m).
Range
NC to S. Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.
References
Bauer, A. B., L. G. Fischer, A. R. Tomás, R. A. Santos, & M.M. Mincarone. 2018. The southernmost records of Brotula barbata (Bloch & Schneider 1801) (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae) in the western Atlantic Ocean. Journal of Fish Biology, 93(4), 715-718.
Nielsen, J.G., D.M. Cohen, D.F. Markle & C.R. Robins, 1999. Ophidiiform fishes of the world (Order Ophidiiformes). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of pearlfishes, cusk-eels, brotulas and other ophidiiform fishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(18):178p. Rome: FAO.
de Paiva, C. C., F. M. Osório, B. Jucá-Queiroz, & T.M. da Cruz Lotufo. 2010. Pisces, Ophidiiformes, Ophidiidae, Brotula barbata (Bloch & Schneider, 1801): First record off Ceará, northeastern Brazil. Check List, 6(3), 360-361.
Other Notes
Brazilian specimens often have more barbels (3-5 pairs) on the snout but are otherwise identical to Caribbean specimens. Genetic work will have to confirm the status of Brazilian material.