Whitespot cusk-eel

📖 Overview

Whitespot cusk-eel (Lepophidium crossotum) is a ray-finned fish of the family Ophidiidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 16.8 cm. It occurs at depths between 91 and 384 metres. With a trophic level of 3.5, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 117 - 125; Anal soft rays: 99 - 106; Vertebrae: 68 - 69. This species is characterized by the following: fringed snout; differs from L. kallion and L. wileyi by fewer total vertebrae (67-69 vs. 71-75 and 70-75, respectively) and lateral line length in SL (87.8% vs. 88.8% and 91.5%, respectively); differs from L. kallion in the number of dorsal rays (117-125 vs. 129-137) and anal rays (99-106 vs. 108-114), average post orbital length in HL (48.6% vs. 56%), average orbit diameter in HL (30.9% vs. 25.4%), average body depth at occiput in SL (10.7% vs. 13.3%), at origin of dorsal fin (11.5% vs. 14.5%), at origin of anal fin (10.1% vs. 11.9%), average predorsal distance in SL (22.1% vs. 23.9%), average preanal distance in SL (35.6% vs. 39.6%); head and body color is pale brown and without pattern .: eel-like; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Whitespot cusk-eel is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 91 - 384 m , usually 91 - 192 m . Tropical; 36°N - 21°N, 96°W - 75°W North Carolina (south of Cape Hatteras) to southern Florida and in the eastern Gulf of Mexico from western Florida to Yucatan.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute