Species: Ophidion antipholus, Longnose Cusk-eel

Ophidion antipholus Lea & Robins, 2003

Longnose Cusk-eel

Elongate, compressed; upper and lower body profiles parallel for most of length; head compressed, profile rounded; snout distinctly protruding beyond and overhanging mouth, with a short, prominent, stout, finger-shaped spine projecting downwards towards its tip; no pores on head except for 2 near front of lower jaw; gill rakers – 2 rudiments above, 5-6 (4-7) developed rakers below; operculum with a strong, hidden spine; dorsal and anal fins continuous with tail; dorsal fin 116-123 (111-133); anal fin 94-103; pectoral fin 18-19 (18-21); pelvic fins (each with 2 rays of unequal length) inserted under eye, short, longest ray reaching to level under front edge to center of operculum; scales smooth, elongate, not overlapping, at right angles rather than regular series, none on head; lateral line along most of body.

Uniform pale brown; top of head with rear of skull broadly outlined in dark pigment; may have a dark streak along the lateral line; outer edges of dorsal and anal fins black, particularly at front of dorsal and all of anal.

Reaches 25.1 cm.

Benthic on sand and mud bottoms.

Depth range: 10-69 m, usually 15-40 m.

S Carolina to the E Caribbean.