Family: |
Bythitidae (Livebearing brotulas) |
Max. size: |
9.9 cm SL (female) |
Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 12 - 20 m |
Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: Caribbean, Bahamas. |
Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 84-91; Anal soft rays: 63-69; Vertebrae: 50-52. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: Vertebrae 12-13+37-39=50-52, dorsal fin rays 84-91, anal fin rays 63-69, pectoral fin rays 17-18, caudal fin rays 10; head profile above eye strongly depressed, scales on occiput, eyes present (0.9-1.0 % SL); palatine teeth absent; color uniformly light brown, long gill-rakers 3, pale (Ref. 57878). |
Biology: |
Found in an anchialine cave which is connected to the sea via a submerged passage which opens into a tidal saltwater creek. The upper about 14 m in the cave consists of freshwater (22 °C), separated from a lower, slightly warmer (23-25 °C), salty layer by a distinct halocline. The holotype was taken in a depth of 12 m, which must then most likely to be freshwater; some where collected from one or two inland sink holes (Ref. 57878). |
IUCN Red List Status: |
Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 26 August 2020 (B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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