Neobythites unicolor Nielsen & Retzer, 1994

Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae
Max. size:  12.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 185 - 935 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: all over the West Indies except for the southern part of the Caribbean Sea and the main part of the Gulf of Mexico.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 97-101; Anal soft rays: 82-86. Ocelli and vertical and horizontal stripes on fins and body absent. Hind margin of preoperculum with 1 spine. Pseudobranchial filaments 2-3. Teeth granular. Ventral fin rays almost reaching anus, 17-22% SL (Ref. 40522).
Biology:  Common species (Ref. 34024) found to feed on crustaceans (Ref. 32505). A specimen was caught in a glass sponge Margaritella coeloptyloides at 361 m depth off Cuba (Ref. 32505). Reproductive strategy possibly similar to other members of this family featuring oviparity, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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