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Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels) >
Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels) > Ophidiinae
Etymology: Lepophidium: Latin, lepus, leporis = rabbit + Greek, ophis = serpent (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Not a true eponym, but named after the Inca people of Peru. (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range 118 - 320 m (Ref. 91765). Tropical; 3°S - 7°S, 83°W - 80°W (Ref. 91765)
Distribution
Territories | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Point map | Introductions | Faunafri
Southeast Pacific: known only from the ocean off northern Peru (Piura Province);
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 19.6 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 91765)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal soft rays (total): 133 - 141; Anal soft rays: 112 - 121; Vertebrae: 74 - 77. This species have the following characteristics: pyloric caeca usually 7-8 in 1 or 2 whorls, typically 6+2; usually 3 rudimentary gill rakers on the upper arm of the first arch, 4-5 developed rakers on lower arm, usually 2-3 rudimentary rakers anteriorly on the lower arm; total gill rakers 9-13; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines 3-4; head and body uniformly dusky; pectoral fins clear; dorsal and anal fins clear with a dark edge, most developed in the anal fin; posterior part of the roof of the mouth, upper pharyngeal region, and gill bars are blackish; esophagus, caeca, and anterior part of the intestine are blackish (Ref. 91765).
Body shape (shape guide): eel-like; Cross section: compressed.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Robins, C.R., R.H. Robins and M.E. Brown, 2012. A revision of Lepophidium (Teleoastei, Ophidiidae), with descriptions of eight new species. Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History 52(1):1-94. (Ref. 91765)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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