Spinyhead cusk

📖 Overview

A viviparous, benthic species found on the lower continental shelf and slope . Rare species . A 5.7 cm SL female with full developed embryos .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 99 - 100; Anal soft rays: 64 - 65; Vertebrae: 57 - 58. This species is distinguished by the following characters: 2 spines on midline of head, one anteriorly directed on frontal above eye and another upward directed, weak and thin on ethmoid, 3 bony ridges on dorsum behind frontal spine; maximum width of head 5.6-6.0% SL, of body 3.5-3.9 % SL; elongated body with joined vertical fins; head naked, with anterior part of body having scattered scales in midline and posterior half almost fully scaled; skin thin and translucent; eye diameter less than snout-length; opercular spine covered by skin; posterior part of maxilla greatly expanded vertically; dentigerous bones with granular teeth; palatines in 2-3 rows; pectoral peduncle slightly longer than broad, not adnate; gill opening extending well above opercular spine; anterior gill arch with 3 long rakers; vertebrae, precaudal 15, total 57-58; D 99-100, A 64-65, pectoral 16-17, caudal 12; otolith length to height = 2.5, with sulcus undivided, placed in central part of inner face, and otolith length to sulcus length = 2.7 .: elongated; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Spinyhead cusk is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Spinyhead cusk is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Spinyhead cusk is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 146 - 850 m . Deep-water South Wales, Australia.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

👥 Community & Contribute