Littoral Cusk

This species possess the following set of characters: anterior nostril low on snout; copulatory organ of male with a simple and small flap-like pair of (outer) pseudoclaspers; small, size < 5.5 cm SL, short predorsal length 26.5-30.7 % SL; 13-14 precaudal vertebrae, 45-47 total vertebrae; D 93-104, A 64-76, branchiostegal rays 6-7, V in D 2.4-2.6; scale patch only on cheek, scaleless operculum; presence of upper preopercular pore; joined opening for the first and second lower preopercular pore; otolith elongate, its length to height 2.3-2.4, its sulcus with nearly straight dorsal and convex ventral rim, short with otolith length to sulcus length 2.0, colliculi is fused; maxilla expanded posteroventrally; short anterior anal fin pterygiophore (Ref. 76869).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 93 - 104; Analsoft rays: 64 - 76; Vertebrae: 45 - 47

Common species found on shallow reefs (Ref. 34024). Benthic species which occurs in inshore waters (Ref. 75154).

fisheries: of no interest

The Littoral cusk (Monothrix polylepis) is a species of viviparous brotula known from shallow reefs off the coast of eastern Australia. This species grows to a length of 5 centimetres (2.0 in) SL. This is currently the only known species in its genus.