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Hoplobrotula armata (Temminck & Schlegel, 1846) Armoured cusk |
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photo by
Senou, H. |
| Family: | Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae | |||
| Max. size: | 70 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | bathydemersal; marine; depth range 200 - 350 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Pacific: Japan to off Australia, including the Arafura Sea (Ref. 9819). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal soft rays (total): -94. Rather elongate body with blunt head; eye almost as long as snout; upper jaws ends well behind eye; 3 sharp spines on preopercle and 1strong opercular spine; 1 median and a pair of basibranchial tooth patches; 5-6 developed rakers on anterior gill arch; pelvic fins inserted beneath eye; precaudal vertebrae 13 (Ref. 34024). Snout spine present (Ref. 34024). | |||
| Biology: | Found on the shelf and shelf edge (Ref. 11230). Common species (Ref. 34024). Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 August 2019 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||