Blackrim Cusk Eel

This species possess the following characters: usually with 15 precaudal, 58-59 caudal, and 74-76 total vertebral counts; number of fin rays usually in dorsal 131-137, anal 112-117, pectoral 21-23; pyloric caeca 3 (2-4) in tiers of 2-3 caeca in the first and one in the second; total gill rakers on first arch 9-11 (8-13). Colour of head and body tan to brown, belly whitish; a conspicuous and diagnostic series of 14-23 pale spots, which are slightly smaller than the eye but larger than the pupil, extending from just behind the opercle to the caudal-fin base; a second series of smaller pale spots running along the anterior part of the body just below the dorsal-fin base (spots largely disappear in old museum specimens); dorsal and anal fins dark-edged posteriorly; gill chamber, gill bars, esophagus and the roof of the mouth behind the vomer and between the palatines blackish; stomach and hindgut unpigmented (Ref. 91765).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 129 - 142; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 109 - 121; Vertebrae: 73 - 78

Feeds on various decapods and other animal groups (Ref. 9595).

Uncommon species (Ref. 34024). Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205).

Western Atlantic: Georges Bank to northern Florida and the Gulf of Mexico

depth range 55 - 365 m

benthic