Tenuicephalus squamilabrus Schwarzhans & Møller, 2021

Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae
Max. size:  17.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 1037 - 1930 m
Distribution:  Western Indian: Madagascar Channel and Western Pacific: Philippines.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished by the following charcters: precaudal vertebrae 15-16, loin vertebrae 2-4, last precaudal vertebrae without ribs; first gill arch with long gill rakers 17-21; pectoral-fin rays 16-18; HL:HD 1.37-1.55; maximal HD:HD through center of eye 1.75-1.90; weak head spines on ethmoidal and interorbital; opercular spine sharp and extruding; opercular flap small; scales on occiput, cheeks, opercle and maxilla; vomer narrow, naked or with few teeth or with one row of teeth; palatines narrow with 2-3 rows of teeth; basibranchial tooth patch small, narrow with 2 rows of teeth; otolith small, 5.0-6.5 % in HL, with single colliculum; OL:OH = 1.14-1.20; OL:TCL = 1.94-2.30 (Ref. 125143).
Biology:  This species does not seem to venture far away from the continental slopes (Ref. 125143).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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