Common names: cusk-eel (English), congribadejo (Espanol), congriperla (Espanol)
 
Ophidion species A


Southern cusk-eel



Elongate, compressed, the greatest depth ~ 15% of SL; head compressed; snout overhanging, with small, blunt spine; mouth slightly angled upwards; flaps under nostrils extend onto top jaw; operculum with a strong, skin covered spine at its upper corner; 4 moderately long lower gill rakers; dorsal and anal fins continuous with tail; dorsal rays about 142-148; anal rays 118-126; pectoral rays 23-25; dorsal and anal fins confluent, tail rounded; pelvic fins below eye, long (1.3-1.5 in pectorals), outer branch ~ 1.35x inner branch; scales smooth, elongate, not overlapping, at right angles rather than regular series, none on head.

Light grey brown, somewhat silvery; outer edge of dorsal and anal fins blackish; inside mouth and gill chamber pale to slightly dusky.


Size: grows to at least 18 cm.

Inhabits sand bottoms adjacent to reefs.

Depth: 5-10 m.

The Galapagos and Peru.