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Key Brotula (Ogilbia cayorum) — Bythitidae

Key Brotula

Ogilbia cayorum
Family: Bythitidae
LC · Least Concern

The Key Brotula (Ogilbia cayorum) is a saltwater fish of the family Bythitidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–33.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The key brotula (Ogilbia cayorum) is a small, bottom-dwelling fish of the family Bythitidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species has an elongate, tapering, pale to brownish body with a continuous fin fringe and reaches only about 6 cm. It prefers shallow, weedy habitats from 0 to 8 metres deep, where it shelters among vegetation and crevices. As a bottom dweller it feeds on small invertebrates. Unlike many fishes the species is livebearing: the female carries the embryos and bears a few relatively large young. Owing to its small size it has no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Key Brotula?

The Key Brotula has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Key Brotula live?

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

How big does the Key Brotula get?

The Key Brotula grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Key Brotula dangerous to humans?

No, the Key Brotula is harmless to humans.

Is the Key Brotula edible?

The Key Brotula is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Key-brotula sourced
English name
Key Brotula verified
Scientific name
Ogilbia cayorum
Family
Bythitidae
Other names
Key brotula; W. I. Brotulid verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
33.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Ogilbia

More from the family Bythitidae

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