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Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels) >
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels) > Ophidiinae
Etymology: taylori: Named for A.S. Taylor, its discoverer (Ref. 4525).
More on author: Girard.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 0 - 280 m (Ref. 34024). Subtropical; 47°N -
Eastern Pacific: Washington, USA to Baja California and Ecuador. Record from the Gulf of California is doubtful.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 40.4 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 30541); common length : 30.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 55763)
Short description
Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal
spines
(total): 0;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 187-229;
Anal
spines: 0;
Anal
soft rays: 150 - 181;
Vertebrae: 86 - 91. Head naked; scales on body in basketweave pattern; precaudal vertebrae 18-19; swim bladder in males with posterior opening; body and head with numerous dark spots and blotches (Ref. 34024). Branchiostegal rays: 7 (Ref. 36413). Pelvic fin consists of one ray with two branches of unequal length (Ref. 36413).
Uncommon species found on sandy bottom from the shore to 280 m (Ref. 34024). Adults often burrow tail-first in sand, live in mucus-lined holes (Ref. 2850), mud, eelgrass and rock rubble (Ref. 36413). Mostly active at night and on overcast days (Ref. 2850). Important food for sea lions and cormorants (Ref. 2850). Oviparous, with planktonic larvae and extended pelagic juvenile (Ref. 36413). Oval, pelagic eggs float in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Nielsen, J.G., D.M. Cohen, D.F. Markle and C.R. Robins, 1999. 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 Fish. Synop. 125(18):178p. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 34024)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
More information
Age/SizeGrowthLength-weightLength-lengthLength-frequenciesMorphometricsMorphologyLarvaeLarval dynamicsRecruitmentAbundanceBRUVS
ReferencesAquacultureAquaculture profileStrainsGeneticsElectrophoresesHeritabilityDiseasesProcessingNutrientsMass conversion
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Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 9.3 - 15.1, mean 11.3 °C (based on 51 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 1.0000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00102 (0.00046 - 0.00225), b=3.06 (2.88 - 3.24), in cm total length, based on all LWR estimates for this body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 4.1 ±0.57 se; based on food items.
Generation time: 2.9 ( na - na) years. Estimated as median ln(3)/K based on 1
growth studies.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.3).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100).