Species: Cubiceps capensis, Cape Cigarfish

Cubiceps capensis (Smith, 1845)

Cape Cigarfish

Body elongate, slender, soft and flexible; large eye with a fatty ring around it; mouth small, usually ends before eye; teeth small, pointed, curved, ~ 1 row on jaws, 1 row on center and sides (1-several rows) of roof of mouth, & 1 row on tongue; 7-11+1+16-20 gill rakers; 2 dorsal fins, 1st with origin behind pectoral origin, XI + I, 20-22; anal fin III, 19-22; pectoral fins long, in adults extend past anal origin, 20-24 rays; pelvic fins insert behind pectoral base; tail fin forked, with blunt tips; lateral line high along back; branched mucous canal along flank; scales moderate, smooth, 62-72 on lateral line, scales along top of head, to front edge of eye, snout with a few small scales or naked; no bony keel along breast.

Head and body dark brown to purplish black; fins blackish.

Size: 126 cm, 22 kg.

Habitat: oceanic.

Depth: 0-140 m

Circumglobal, subtropical to warm temperate; Nova Scotia to Argentina.