Porogadus catena (Goode & Bean, 1885)
photo by Garcia Jr., J.

Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae
Max. size:  22 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 1180 - 3500 m
Distribution:  Atlantic Ocean.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished by the following characters: precaudal vertebrae 16-17; first gill arch with long gill rakers 15-18; pectoral-fin rays 15-18; HL:HD 1.49-1.73; few and mostly weak head spines on ethmoidal, supraorbital, sphenotic, supratemporal, outer posttemporal, inner preopercular rim while absent on lacrimal, prefrontal, interorbital, 5th infraorbital, inner posttemporal, outer preopercular rim; opercular spine weak and flat; opercular flap small; lower lateral line pores until beginning of anal fin 15-17; narrow dentition patch on vomer with 1-2 rows of teeth while palatines with moderately broad dentition patch with 3–4 rows of teeth; otolith with single colliculum; OL:OH = 1.0–1.2; OL:TCL = 1.8 (Ref. 125143).
Biology:  Uncommon species (Ref. 34024). 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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