Neobythites marginatus

FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
OphididaeNeobythites marginatusGoode and Bean1886Stripefin Brotula

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.

Neobythites marginatus

Unique Characters: Horizontal diameter of eye window equal to or slightly shorter than snout. Opercular spine strong and straight, hind margin of preopercle with 2 spines. Median basibranchial tooth patches 2, pseudobranchial filaments 1-8. Developed rakers on anterior gill arch 6-34. Pectoral-fin rays 22-34. Pelvic-fin rays 2 in each fin. Dorsal fin with horizontal dark band.

Similar Species: None.

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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