Common Name
Slenderheaded Dragon Cusk-eel
Year Described
Carter & Sulak, 1984
Identification
Pectoral Fin: 17-19
Gill Rakers: 15-18 (long gill rakers on first arch)
Vertebrae: 16-17 (pre-caudal)
Elongate body with a highly attenuate tail. Head relatively small and stout (14.8-17.6% SL). Snout rather long (4.6-5.6% SL). Head weakly ossified and without spines. Opercular spine strong. Large mucous pores; particularly along the infraorbital, mandibular, and preopercular canals. Jaws large, extending well past eye. Villiform teeth present on dentaries, premaxilla, vomer (sparse), palatines (1-2 rows), and a reduced basibranchial patch (may be absent). Lateral line system weakly discernable. Dorsal and anal fin rays not counted due to damage and loss of tail tip in most specimens. Pectoral fin small. Pelvic fins filamentous. Scales cycloid and easily lost in captured specimens.
Color
Body appears to be uniformly brown to dark brown in preservative.
Size
Maximum size to 141mm SL.
Habitat
Outer continental shelf from 1750-2000m over soft bottoms.
Range
E. Florida, the Bahamas, Cuba, and off Jamaica.
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.