Teleostei (teleosts) >
Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels) >
Bythitidae (Livebearing brotulas)
Etymology: Microbrotula: Greek, mikros = small + Latin, brotula, -ae = little, bud, shoot (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 1 m (Ref. 34024). Tropical
Endemic to Hawaii.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Dorsal soft rays (total): 81 - 92; Anal soft rays: 72 - 80; Vertebrae: 46. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: vertebrae 11 + 35 = 46, D 81-92, A 72-80, pectoral-fin rays 12-14, caudal-fin rays 6; anterior dorsal fin ray above vertebra 11; anterior anal fin ray below dorsal fin ray 9; anterior anal fin ray below vertebra 13; head with scales on cheek, opercle and occiput; numerous papillae on entire head; lateral-line papillae along entire length of body; absence of spine at lower angle of preopercle; 3 posterior mandibular pores, 3 posterior infraorbital pores, 1 lower preopercular pore, 1 upper preopercular pore 1; palatine teeth strong, in single row (Ref. 88975).
Rare species, known from a depth of 1 m, over mixed coral and sand (Ref. 34024). Benthic (Ref. 58302).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Nielsen, J.G., D.M. Cohen, D.F. Markle and C.R. Robins, 1999. Ophidiiform fishes of the world (Order Ophidiiformes). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of pearlfishes, cusk-eels, brotulas and other ophidiiform fishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(18):178p. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 34024)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
Tools
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5039 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00447 (0.00172 - 0.01163), b=3.10 (2.87 - 3.33), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.2 ±0.5 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Assuming Fec < 100).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).