Bassozetus elongatus Smith & Radcliffe, 1913
photo by FAO

Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae
Max. size:  48 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 1990 - 4970 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean (Ref. 34024). Western Central Pacific: off New Caledonia and Philippines (Ref. 31524) and the Gulf of Tomini, Celebes, Indonesia (Ref. 26282).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 122-128; Anal soft rays: 104-108; Vertebrae: 68-70. Snout inflated; eyes much smaller than snout; opercular spine weak or absent; preopercle without spines and posteriorly expanded almost reaching posterior margin of opercle; pseudobranchial filaments 2 (Ref. 34024).
Biology:  Specimens were caught on or near the bottom from upper slope to abyssal depths (Ref. 84269). Uncommon species (Ref. 34024). Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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