Species: Ophidion dromio, Short-head cusk-eel

Ophidion dromio Lea & Robins, 2003

Short-head cusk-eel

Elongate, compressed; upper and lower body profiles parallel for most of length; head compressed, short, blunt, bulbous, tissue on top of head often flaccid and inflated; snout short, steeply rounded, only slightly overhanging mouth, but not distinctly protruding, with a short, blunt,  finger-shaped spine projecting down towards its tip; no pores on head except for 2 near front of lower jaw; gill rakers – 2 rudiments above, 4 short  developed rakers below; operculum with a strong, hidden spine; dorsal and anal fins continuous with tail fin; dorsal fin 119-125 (116-129); anal fin 98-100 (92-102); pectoral fin 19-21; pelvic fins (each with 2 rays of unequal length) inserted under eye, short, longest ray reaching under front 1/3 of operculum; scales smooth, elongate, not overlapping, at right angles rather than regular series, none on head; lateral line along most of body.