Common Name
Slender Dragon Cusk-eel
Year Described
Goode & Bean, 1885
Identification
Pectoral Fin: 17-21
Gill Rakers: 14-18 (long rakes on first arch)
Vertebrae: 17-19 (pre-caudal)
Elongate body with a highly attenuate tail. Head large (15.6-17.6% SL). Snout long (4.8-6.4% SL) and flattened. Head with numerous strong spines (present on ethmoidal, lacrimal, prefrontal, interorbital, supraorbital, sphenotic, 5th infraorbital, supratemporal, inner, outer post-temporal, inner and outer preopercular rims, and opercle). Large mucous pores; particularly along the infraorbital, mandibular, and preopercular canals. Two to three large leaf-shaped sensory papillae (neuromast patches) on the opercle. Jaws large, extending well past eye. Villiform teeth present on dentaries, premaxilla, vomer (3-5 rows), palatines (4-9 rows), and a single basibranchial patch. Highly developed lateral-line system with three distinct rows of modified scales and sensory pores. Dorsal and anal fin rays not counted due to damage and loss of tail tip in most specimens. Pectoral fin large. Pelvic fins filamentous. Scales cycloid and easily lost in captured specimens.
Color
Color in life undescribed but likely uniformly gray-brown or brown. Head may be a shade darker.
Size
Maximum size to 387mm SL.
Habitat
Taken in bottom trawls between 1200-4000m.
Range
Northwestern Atlantic: New England to Virginia.
References
Schwarzhans, W. W., & P. R. Moller. 2021. Revision of the ‘dragon-head’cusk eels of the genus Porogadus (Teleostei: Ophidiidae), with description of eight new species and one new genus. Zootaxa, 5029(1), 1-96.
Other Notes
The only known member of the genus Porogadus in the western Atlantic with very strong head spines. Other species have reduced spines (abyssalis_) or none (_catena, T. silus).