Bassogigas gillii Goode & Bean, 1896
photo by SFSA

Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae
Max. size:  85 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 637 - 2239 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific (between the southern tip of South Africa and New Caledonia) and Atlantic (except east Atlantic).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 103-110; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 82-88; Vertebrae: 60-64. This species is distinguished and differs from B. walkeri by its long lateral line, snout to end of lateral line 64-80% SL (vs. 39.5% SL) and ending below dorsal fin ray number 47-69 (vs. 10) and above vertebra number 31-43 (vs. 12); scales in midline of body 130-150 (vs. 175); distance between base of pelvic fins and anal fin origin 24.0-32.5% SL (vs. 34.5% SL); two median basibranchial tooth patches, the anterior short and broad (vs. long and narrow); scale rows between origin of dorsal fin and lateral line 7-8 (vs. 11); sagitta thin, 12-16% its height (vs. 23% its length) (Ref. 86400).
Biology:  Uncommon species (Ref. 34024). Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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