Species: Ophidion guianense, Guianan Cusk-eel

Ophidion guianense Lea & Robins, 2003

Guianan Cusk-eel

Elongate, compressed; upper and lower body profiles parallel for most of length; head compressed, profile rounded; snout overhangs mouth, but not distinctly protruding, with a short, prominent, stout, finger-shaped spine projecting down towards its tip; no pores on head except for 2 near front of lower jaw; gill rakers – 2-3 rudiments above, 5-6 developed rakers below; operculum with a strong, hidden spine; dorsal and anal fins continuous with tail; dorsal fin 112-117 (109-122); anal fin 91-96; pectoral fin 19-20 (18-21); pelvic fins (each with 2 rays of unequal length) inserted under eye, short, longest ray reaching 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; outer edge of anal fin (and sometimes dorsal) dark in large fish.

Reaches 15.3 cm.

Benthic on sand and mud bottoms.

Depth range: 18-61 m.

E Caribbean to Guyana.