Inhabits rocky and coral reefs. A 44 mm SL female specimen (USNM 347360) contained 75 embryos, 5 mm TL, with about 8 small spots along dorsal fin base and about 6 elongate marks midlaterally; no eggs .
Dorsal soft rays (total): 66 - 82; Anal soft rays: 48 - 63; Vertebrae: 39 - 44. This species is distinguished by the following: Vertebrae 11-12 + 28-33 = 39-44, dorsal fin rays 66-82, anal fin rays 48-63; outer pseudoclasper a small triangular flap; inner pseudoclasper as long as or longer than the outer pseudoclasper, with narrow base and broad tip, penis tapering; opercular spine with single, sharp tip; scale patch on cheeks with 5-7 vertical scale rows; otolith length: height ratio 2.0-2.1, sulcus axis slightly inclined against otolith axis .
Behavioural data for Shy brotula is currently being reviewed.
Diet information for Shy brotula is currently being compiled.
Reproduction data for Shy brotula is currently being compiled.
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 10 m . Tropical Central America to Panama, and from off southernmost Florida to Haiti, Puerto Rico, Bahamas and the Antilles as far south as Dominica; so far, not known off Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Venezuela or Trinidad and Tobago.
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