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Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels) >
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels) > Ophidiinae
Etymology: Ophidion: Diminutive of Greek, ophis = serpent (Ref. 45335); antipholus: Named for the brothers Antipholus (Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors), whose identities were confused throughout the play; noun in apposition.
Eponymy: The brothers Antipholus are characters in Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors. (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on authors: Lea & Robins.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 10 - 69 m (Ref. 81834), usually 15 - 40 m (Ref. 81834). Subtropical
Western Atlantic. USA (from South Carolina to Palm Beach, Florida) and Mexico (off northern coast of Yucatan).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 21.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 81834)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal soft rays (total): 111 - 133; Anal soft rays: 94 - 103; Vertebrae: 65 - 69. This species is characterized by the following features: D 111-133 (usually 116-123); A 94-103; pectoral fin rays 18 or 19 (rarely 20 or 21); precaudal vertebrae 15-17 (usually 16), caudal vertebrae 49-53 (usually 50-52), total vertebrae 65-69 (usually 66-68); lower arm of first gill arch with 5 or 6 developed rakers; rounded head profile with mouth distinctly inferior; dorsal and ventral profiles of body nearly parallel for much of its length; unmarked body; short and unequal pelvic-fin rays, longer reaching to point directly under anterior edge of opercle (Ref. 81834).
Body shape (shape guide): eel-like.
Observed on open sand and mud bottoms (Ref. 81834). Reproductive strategy possibly similar to other members of this family featuring oviparity, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Lea, R.N. and C.R. Robins, 2003. Four new species of the genus Ophidion (Pisces: Ophidiidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. University of Kansas Museum of Natural History, Scientific Papers No. 31:1-9. (Ref. 81834)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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