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Reef cuskeel (Brosmophyciops pautzkei) — Bythitidae

Reef cuskeel

Brosmophyciops pautzkei
Family: Bythitidae

The Reef cuskeel (Brosmophyciops pautzkei) is a saltwater fish of the family Bythitidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6.0–54.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The reef cuskeel is a small, shy livebearing brotula (Bythitidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a stocky, brownish, scale-poor body with long, confluent dorsal, tail and anal fins. As a hidden bottom-dweller it lives deep in coral crevices, caves and under overhangs and snaps at small crustaceans; it bears live young. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Reef cuskeel?

The Reef cuskeel has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Reef cuskeel live?

The Reef cuskeel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Reef cuskeel get?

The Reef cuskeel grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Reef cuskeel dangerous to humans?

No, the Reef cuskeel is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rif-brootula sourced
English name
Reef cuskeel sourced
Scientific name
Brosmophyciops pautzkei
Family
Bythitidae
Other names
Free-tailed reef brotula; Slimy cusk; Slimy cuskeel verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
54.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Bythitidae

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