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Bank cusk-eel (Ophidion antipholus) — Ophidiidae

Bank cusk-eel

Ophidion antipholus
Family: Ophidiidae

The Bank cusk-eel (Ophidion antipholus) is a saltwater fish of the family Ophidiidae that grows up to 21 cm.

Length
21 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–69.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bank cusk-eel is a cusk eel (Ophidiidae) from sand and mud bottoms of the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a slender, elongate, pale body with long, confluent dorsal and anal fins and small pelvic fins under the chin. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it shelters in soft sediment by day and snaps at small crustaceans and worms by night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bank cusk-eel?

The Bank cusk-eel has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Bank cusk-eel live?

The Bank cusk-eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bank cusk-eel get?

The Bank cusk-eel grows to a maximum of about 21 cm.

Is the Bank cusk-eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Bank cusk-eel is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bank-naaldvis sourced
English name
Bank cusk-eel sourced
Scientific name
Ophidion antipholus
Family
Ophidiidae
Other names
Longnose cusk-eel sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
21.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
69.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Ophidion

More from the family Ophidiidae

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