Species: Ophidion lagochila, Harelip Cusk-eel

Ophidion lagochila (Bohlke & Robins, 1959)

Harelip Cusk-eel

Elongate, compressed; head compressed; top of head cavernous; snout tip wrinkled, grooved, and with 3 fleshy flaps hanging down under nostrils to lower jaw level on each side, with a small spine that is hooked backwards; rear end of top jaw bone rounded, not expanded; gill rakers: 3 rudiments above, 4-5 rakers below; operculum with a strong, hidden spine; dorsal and anal fins continuous with tail; dorsal fin 123-125; anal fin 103-105; pelvic fins (each with 2 rays of unequal length) inserted under eye; scales smooth, elongate, not overlapping, at right angles rather than regular series, none on head, or midline of belly or on nape; lateral line along most of body.

Tan, darker above; rear of top of head outlined in black, cavernous top of head dark; fins pale. Juvenile: body pale; vertebral column visible in a dark streak; a dark streak along the lateral line; top of head with a dark 6-pointed blotch

Reaches 7 cm.

Benthic on sandy bottoms around coral heads and limestone rocks.

Depth range: 1-15 m.

Bermuda to the SE Caribbean.