Tenuicephalus silus (Carter & Sulak, 1984)

Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae
Max. size: 
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 1500 - 3510 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: restricted region within the Caribbean Sea.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished by the following characters: precaudal vertebrae 16-17; loin vertebrae 8-10 with the last precaudal vertebrae without ribs; first gill arch with long gill rakers 15-18; pectoral-fin rays 17-19; HL:HD 1.35-1.45; no head spines; opercular spine flat and extruding; opercular flap small; vomer narrow, anteriorly naked, with few teeth posteriorly, while palatines narrow with 1-2 rows of teeth; basibranchial tooth patch very small or absent; lateral line scales to level of vent 14-20; first dorsal fin pterygiophore originating between the second and third neural spine (Ref. 125143).
Biology:  Uncommon species (Ref. 34024). The species does not venture far from the shelf break (Ref. 125143). Reproductive strategy possibly similar to other members of this family featuring oviparity, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 12 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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