Lepophidium inca Robins & Lea, 1978
Incan cusk-eel

Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Ophidiinae
Max. size:  19.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 118 - 320 m
Distribution:  Southeast Pacific: known only from the ocean off northern Peru (Piura Province);
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 133-141; Anal soft rays: 112-121; Vertebrae: 74-77. This species have the following characteristics: pyloric caeca usually 7-8 in 1 or 2 whorls, typically 6+2; usually 3 rudimentary gill rakers on the upper arm of the first arch, 4-5 developed rakers on lower arm, usually 2-3 rudimentary rakers anteriorly on the lower arm; total gill rakers 9-13; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines 3-4; head and body uniformly dusky; pectoral fins clear; dorsal and anal fins clear with a dark edge, most developed in the anal fin; posterior part of the roof of the mouth, upper pharyngeal region, and gill bars are blackish; esophagus, caeca, and anterior part of the intestine are blackish (Ref. 91765).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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