Common Name
Guianan Cusk-eel
Year Described
Lea & Robins, 2003
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 109-122 (modally 112-117)
Anal Fin: 91-96 (modally 94-95)
Pectoral Fin: 19–20 (modally 19)
Caudal Fin: 9
Pelvic Fin: 2
Gill Rakers: 5–6 (rarely 4 or 7) developed, 2-3 rudiments
Vertebrae: 15–16 precaudal, 47-50 (modally 48-50) caudal, 63-66 (modally 64-65) total
Body elongated with dorsal and ventral profiles almost parallel except for the tapered tail. Head short. Snout not projecting much beyond mouth. Ethmoid spine prominent. Mouth inferior. Jaw extending rearward to about mid-orbit. Dorsal and anal fins continuous with tail. Anal origin well behind dorsal origin. Pelvic fins moderate and about equal (reaching mid-opercle when depressed). Pectoral fins reach dorsal origin. Branchiostegal rays number seven. Body covered in small basketweave scales. Head without scales.
Color
Body and head pale brown with no markings. Fins brown with black margins in large specimens (faint or absent in smaller specimens). Inside of throat, gill area and gut pale.
Size
Female holotype measures 117mm SL.
Habitat
Taken on soft bottoms from 18-61m.
Range
The northern Lesser Antilles to off the Guianas and Suriname.
References
Lea, R. N., & C. R. Robins. 2003. Four new species of the genus Ophidion (Pisces: Ophidiidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean / by Robert N. Lea and C. Richard Robins. Scientific Papers, (31), 1-9.
Other Notes
This species seems to be the southern sister species to Ophidion antipholus. The two differ in several characters but are completely allopatric.