The cusk-eel family, Ophidiidae, is a group of marine bony fishes in the Ophidiiformes order. The scientific name is from the Greek ophis meaning "snake", and refers to their eel-like appearance. True eels diverged from other ray-finned fish during the Jurassic, while cusk-eels are part of the Percomorpha clade, along with tuna, perch ...

2025年3月5日 · Cusk eels and their close relatives have some intriguing features. Many species in the group are still mysterious in multiple ways. In tropical and subtropical areas, cusk eels are believed to be the dominant fish living on the ocean floor.

Cusk eel, any of about 30 species of slim, eel-like marine fishes of the family Ophidiidae, found worldwide in warm and temperate waters. Cusk eels are characterized by the union of their dorsal, anal, and tail fins into a single long fin, and by the position of …

5 天之前 · Dazzling octopuses, creepy deep-sea anglerfish, cusk eels, and crustaceans are just some of the deep-sea creatures that have been documented by a recent expedition off the Chilean coast. Dozens of ...

When one thinks of the ocean's enigmatic dwellers, the Cusk Eel often resides in the shadows, literally and figuratively. With a body designed for life in the deep, this intriguing species offers a glimpse into the lesser-known yet remarkably adapted inhabitants of our ocean's depths.

Cusk-eels, belonging to the family Ophidiidae, are remarkable fish that have adapted to thrive in both shallow and deep waters, including the extreme conditions of the hadalpelagic zone. Their ability to survive across such diverse environments can be attributed to several key adaptations:

Deep in the ocean, cusk-eels lurk along the muddy bottom. With bulbous heads and elongated tails, some are homely creatures with an almost ghost-like appearance. One species, the Bony-eared assfish (Acanthonus armatus), is literally named after the rear end of a donkey.

The band cusk-eel (Ophidion holbrookii) is a fish species in the family Ophidiidae. Widespread in the Western Atlantic from North Carolina, United States, and northern Gulf of Mexico to southeastern Brazil. Absent from The Bahamas. Marine reef-associated tropical demersal fish, up to 30 cm (12 in) long.

The family Ophidiidae, the cusk-eels, is the most diverse family (about 218 species in 48 genera) and includes several large benthic species that are fished commercially. The family Bythitidae contains 96 species in 32 genera and includes live-bearing species that reside in shallow waters.

Cusk-eels are essentially nocturnal, spending most of the night hours searching for food with extended barbels, or feelers. Their diet consists primarily of grass shrimp and other small invertebrates.