Species: Neobythites multidigitatus, Manyrayed Brotula

Neobythites multidigitatus Neilsen, 1999

Manyrayed Brotula

Head and body compressed, tapering strongly at rear; head large (at least half of length before anal fin); snout pointed; eye large (equal to snout length); mouth large (extends behind eye), slightly oblique, at front; teeth small, simple on front (a V shaped patch) and sides of roof of mouth, two tooth patches on base of gill arches behind tongue, front patch long & narrow, rear patch small & circular; long gill rakers 1+1+8; upper rear of operculum with one strong, straight, round spine; preoperculum with 2 broad spines at its lower angle; dorsal fin origin slightly behind pectoral base, 110 rays; anal fin 91 rays; pectorals 32; pelvics close together and inserted under preoperculum, each fin consisting of a pair of rays that are united by a membrane near their bases, fins short, 14% SL, reach ½ way to anal fin; tail fin joined to dorsal and anal fins but extends well behind them; lateral line incomplete (restricted to front 85% of body and tail); head and body entirely covered with smooth scales, 7 scale rows between lateral line and dorsal fin.

Preserved fish: Body and fins uniform pale; eye blue; lining of gut cavity brown.

Reaches 8.5 cm.

Lives on and adjacent to soft bottoms.

Depth range: 641 m

Known from a single specimen from the Bahamas