Monomitopus agassizii

FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
OphididaeMonomitopus agassizii(Goode and Bean)1896(No Common Name) 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.

All Monomitopus — Robust body. Eye diameter equal to or slightly shorter than snout. Opercular spine strong; preopercle with 2 or 3 more or less distinct spines at lower angle. 1 median basibranchial tooth patch. 10-27 developed rakers on anterior gill arch. Pectoral-fin rays 26-34. Pelvic-fin rays 1.

Monomitopus agassizii

Unique Characters: Developed gill rakers on lower arm of anterior arch 12-19 (including angle.

Similar Species: (No Common Name) Cusk-eel Monomitopus magnus. Developed gill rakers on lower arm of anterior arch 7-10 (including angle). Strong spines on preopercle. Relatively slender head; nearly straight dorsal profile between eye and origin of the dorsal fin.  Gill raker formula on anterior arch of 4 short + 10-11 developed + 4 short rakers. 104-108 dorsal fin rays; 85-92 anal fin rays. 56-59 lateral line scales to level vent.

References

Carter, H.J. and D.M. Cohen. 1985. Monomitopus magnus, a new species of deep-sea fish (Ophidiidae) from the western North Atlantic. Bulletin of Marine Science. 36:86-95.

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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