Dicrolene introniger

FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
OphididaeDicrolene intronigerGoode and Bean1883Digitate Cusk-eel

Family Ophididae — Moderately elongate ophidiiform fishes (size from about 10 to 200 cm). Anterior nostril placed midway between upper lip and posterior nostril. Supramaxilla present. Teeth usually small, densely distributed, and blunt-tipped. Very seldom fewer than 7 long gill rakers on anterior gill arch (except in Ophidiini). Dorsal and anal fins long, joined to caudal fin; dorsal-fin rays normally longer than opposing anal-fin rays; pelvic-fin rays 0-2. Scales present. A well-developed spine on opercle usually present. Anus placed posterior to tip of pectoral fin except in species with prolonged pectoral fins.

Subfamily – Neobythitinae — No barbels on snout and chin. Ventral arm of cleithrum meeting its mate and terminating at about level of preopercle or farther anteriorly, but the anteriorly directed bony filament is absent. Pelvic-fin insertion variable in position but most often well posterior to eye, fin absent in a few species. 1 or more median basibranchial tooth patches.

Dicrolene introniger

Unique Characters: Snout rather blunt;. Eye diameter almost as long as snout. 1 supraorbital spine. Opercular spine strong and straight. Hind margin of preopercle usually with 3 sharp spines. 1 broad median basibranchial tooth patch and 1 pair of basibranchial tooth patches. Pseudobranchial filaments 2 or 3. 7-15 developed rakers on anterior arch. Pectoral-fin rays 22-33 of which lower 5-11 are free and longer than upper ones. Pelvic-fin rays 2. No black fin rays.

Similar Species: (No common name Cusk-eel) Benthocometes robustus. Head short and stubby, mouth terminal; eyes equal to or greater than length of snout. Opercle with 2 posteriorly directed spines. 1 basibranchia! tooth patch. Vomerine tooth patch without arms. Developed rakers on anterior gill arch 7-10. Pseudobranchial filaments 5-7. Pectoral-fin rays 27-33. Pelvic fins with 2 rays in each.

Reference

FAO. 1999. Species catalogue. Volume 18. 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 Fisheries Synopsis. No. 125, Vol. 18. 178p., 136 figs. Rome, Italy.

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