Neobythites elongatus Nielsen & Retzer, 1994

Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae
Max. size:  13.7 cm SL (male/unsexed); 11.7 cm SL (female)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 230 - 1270 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Florida Strait to off Panama.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 101-104; Anal soft rays: 86-90. Dorsal part of the body with marbled, brownish pigmentation, but lacking ocelli and stripes. Hind margin of preoperculum with 2 spines. Pseudobranchial filaments 2-4. Teeth granular. Ventral fin rays far from reaching anus, 12-14% SL (Ref. 40522).
Biology:  Common species (Ref. 34024) found to feed on small gastropods and crustaceans (Ref. 32505). 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: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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