Eastern eel-slickhead

📖 Overview

Eastern eel-slickhead (Leptoderma ospesca) is a ray-finned fish of the family Alepocephalidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in deep-water environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 19.7 cm. It occurs at depths between 1368 and 1406 metres. With a trophic level of 3.4, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 33; Anal soft rays: 48; Vertebrae: 60. This speciesi differs from L. affinis, L. macrops, L. retropinna by having a distinct gap between the posterior ends of the dorsal and anal fins and the origins of the upper and lower procurrent caudal-fin rays; differs from L. lubricum by lacking dermal papillae along the lateral line, by having pectoral fins low on body (vs. high) with 6 fin rays (vs. 7-8), and having fewer caudal-fin rays 16 (vs. 17-18); differs L. macrophthalmum by having a longer pre-dorsal length 54.9% SL (vs. 49.3%), fewer pectoral-fin rays 6 (vs. 8), fewer pelvic-fin rays 5 (vs. 8) and longer dorsal- and anal-fin rays (vs. shorter); differs from its congeners by having fewer pre-ural vertebrae 60 (vs. 64-84) .Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Eastern eel-slickhead is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Eastern eel-slickhead is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Eastern eel-slickhead is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 1368 - 1406 m . Tropical Pacific Ocean: El Salvador.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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