Species: Caulolatilus cyanops, Blackline Tilefish

Caulolatilus cyanops Poey, 1866

Blackline Tilefish

Body robust, quadrangular, depth 21-34% of SL; head relatively deep, rounded in profile; fleshy ridge along midline before dorsal fin; operculum with a short, blunt spine; vertical edge of preoperculum serrated; no barbel on rear edge of top lip; 17-21 gill rakers; dorsal fin VII, 23-24 rays; anal I-II, 20-23; pectoral fin 16-17; tail fin slightly concave; scales rough on body, smooth on head; pored lateral line scales 75-82; with scales on bone between preoperculum and operculum.

Body violet to blue, with a dark area, numerous dark reticulated lines and a dark stripe along upper back; lower parts white; ridge along nape yellow; cheek silver; an oblique green-blue bar from eye to top lip; membranes of spiny dorsal orange-yellow, soft part of fin dark; a dark blotch above pectoral base; tail fin with 2 yellow areas covering most of top and bottom lobes.

Reaches 46 cm.

Lives on rubble bottoms.

Depth range: 45-500 m, usually 125-250 m..

North Carolina to Guyana.