Species: Ophidion fulvum, Earspot cusk-eel

Ophidion fulvum Hildebrand & Barton, 1949

Earspot cusk-eel

Elongate, compressed; head compressed; snout pointed, with small bump at front; eye slightly elongate, ~ 29% of head length; mouth large, horizontal, lower jaw shorter, top jaw reaches to end of pupil; operculum with a strong, skin covered spine at its upper corner; jaw teeth simple, in bands, outer series enlarged; 6 gill rakers, lower 4 short, stubby; lateral line high, absent on rear 1/3 of tail; dorsal and anal fins continuous with tail; dorsal 137-160 rays, origin behind middle of pectoral; anal 112-136 rays, origin about 1 head-length behind dorsal origin; pectoral broad, short, reaching < ½ way to anal, 23-26 rays; pelvic fins (each with 2 thread-like rays of unequal length) inserted under eye, fins ~ 1/3 longer than pectorals; scales elongate, not overlapping and not in regular series, at right angles, none on head.