Ophidion antipholus Lea & Robins, 2003
Longnose cusk-eel
Ophidion antipholus
photo by Marotta, D.

 Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Ophidiinae
 Max. size:  21 cm SL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  benthopelagic; depth range 10 - 69 m
 Distribution:  Western Atlantic. USA (from South Carolina to Palm Beach, Florida) and Mexico (off northern coast of Yucatan).
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 111-133; Anal soft rays: 94-103; Vertebrae: 65-69. This species is characterized by the following features: D 111-133 (usually 116-123); A 94-103; pectoral fin rays 18 or 19 (rarely 20 or 21); precaudal vertebrae 15-17 (usually 16), caudal vertebrae 49-53 (usually 50-52), total vertebrae 65-69 (usually 66-68); lower arm of first gill arch with 5 or 6 developed rakers; rounded head profile with mouth distinctly inferior; dorsal and ventral profiles of body nearly parallel for much of its length; unmarked body; short and unequal pelvic-fin rays, longer reaching to point directly under anterior edge of opercle (Ref. 81834).
 Biology:  Observed on open sand and mud bottoms (Ref. 81834). Reproductive strategy possibly similar to other members of this family featuring oviparity, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205).
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Torres, Armi G. - 19.01.06
 Modified by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 28.07.09

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