Known from muddy littoral and estuarine habitats . Burrows in shallow muddy and sandy bottoms . Postlarvae and early juveniles (to ca 2-2.5 cm SL) may occur in surface plankton to distances of 15 km or more offshore; subadults and adults occasionally found swimming near the surface at night .
Dorsal spines (total): 19 - 23. Diagnosis: 62-80 (usually 66-75) total dorsal fin rays, including 19-23 spines; 36-52 (usually 40-47) total anal fin rays; anal fin usually originating between verticals from dorsal fin elements 25-31; caudal fin rounded . Coloration: (based on description of juvenile pigmentation, by Smith&Thacker 2000): body tan, with melanophores scattered over flanks and dorsum, forming a stripe on dorsum and a thinner stripe on flanks; mottled pigmentation on head .: eel-like.
Behavioural data for Pink wormfish is currently being reviewed.
Marine; demersal; depth range 5 - 10 m . Subtropical; 37°N - 8°N, 98°W - 60°W North Carolina (USA), and northern Gulf of Mexico to the Cayman Islands.
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leptocerdale longipinnis | Weymouth | 1910 | Synonym |
| Microdesmus woodsi | Kanazawa | 1952 | Synonym |
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 49 records indexed .
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