Lepophidium pardale (Gilbert 1890)

This species is characterized by the following: usual number of vertebrae, precaudal 15 (14), caudal 57-58 (56-60), total 72-73 (70-75); fin rays, dorsal 128-133 (125-137), anal 108-111 (106-116) pectoral 22-23 (21-24); pyloric caeca 3-5, usually 3 in one tier, 1 in second, sometimes 4+1 or 2+1+1 (3 tiers); first gill arch with rudimentary rakers 3 (rarely 2) on the upper arm, 1-3 rudimentary rakers (0-4) anteriorly on lower limb; total rakers usually 9 (8-12); dorsal-fin origin between neural spines 3-4 (27 specimens) or 4-5 (9 specimens) (Ref. 91765).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 129 - 142; Analsoft rays: 109 - 121; Vertebrae: 70 - 75

Uncommon species (Ref. 34024) inhabiting sandy and muddy bottoms (Ref. 9329). Reproductive strategy possibly similar to other members of this family featuring oviparity, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205). Biology little known (Ref. 9329).