Species: Lepophidium collettei, Brazilian Cusk-eel

Lepophidium collettei Robins et al, 2012

Brazilian Cusk-eel

Elongate, eel-like, tapering at rear to a point at tail, relatively short, stout; head low, compressed; snout with well developed, curved spine at front, no fringes under tip; eye large; mouth large, broad, nearly horizontal; teeth on jaws small, simple, in bands, outer ones larger; no tooth patch at lower front of gill arches; gill rakers – upper arm with 3 rudiments, lower arm with 7 (6-7) developed rakers plus 3-6 (2-7) rudiments below, total 13-15 (13-17) rakers; dorsal and anal fins low, confluent with tail; dorsal fin 117-120 (116-122); anal fin 98-100 (96-103); pectorals on midside, 22-23 (21-25); pelvics each of two small threads inserted under eye; scales round, small, in regular overlapping rows; head extensively covered with overlapping scales extending to between or before eyes, on cheeks and opercle; lateral line complete.

Head & body dark tan, upper opercle darker; front of mouth pale, rear of mouth, gill chamber & oesophagus dark; edges of dorsal and anal fins black, this color on bases at rear of fins; tail fin with at least basal half dark .

Reaches 17 cm.

On soft bottoms.

Depth range: 7-66 m.

The Gulf of Paria to northern Brazil.