Overview

Comprehensive Description

Description

Common names: brotula (English), cusk-eel (English), brótula (Espanol), congrio (Espanol)
 
Petrotyx hopkinsi Heller & Snodgrass, 1903


Velvetnose brotula,     Velvet-nose cusk-eel


Elongate, compressed, tapering to rear; eye relatively small;  snout and jaw tips with patches of fleshy papillae; lips with fleshy fringes; preopercle margin overgrown with skin; operculum without spines; 3 developed gill rakers; dorsal and anal fins continuous with pointed tail; dorsal rays 82-88; anal rays 62-70; pelvic a double rayed filament under throat, behind eye; scales small, smooth, imbedded in skin, on head and body, about 130-140 in midlateral series; 1 lateral line on front half of body.

Brown, with dark median fins.


Size: attains 22.6 cm.

Inhabits rocky crevices.

Depth: 3-10 m.



The western Gulf of California to Panama, and Clipperton, Cocos and the Galapagos.

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Biology

Uncommon species (Ref. 34024). Adults inhabit rocky crevices (Ref. 11482). Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205).
  • Nielsen, J.G., D.M. Cohen, D.F. Markle and C.R. Robins 1999 FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 18. Ophidiiform fishes of the world (Order Ophidiiformes). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of pearlfishes, cusk-eels, brotulas and other ophidiiform fishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(18):178p. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 34024)   http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=34024&speccode=17075 External link.
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Distribution

Range Description

This species is endemic to the Eastern Pacific, and is found from the western Gulf of California, Mexico to eastern Panama, including the Clipperton, Cocos and Galapagos Islands. It is absent from Gulf of Tehuantepec and Guatemala.
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Depth

Depth Range (m): 3 (S) - 10 (S)
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Zoogeography

See Map (including site records) of Distribution in the Tropical Eastern Pacific


 
Global Endemism: All species, East Pacific endemic, Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) endemic

Regional Endemism: All species, TEP endemic, Continent + Island (s), Continent, Island (s)

Residency: Resident

Climate Zone: North Temperate (Californian Province &/or Northern Gulf of California), Northern Subtropical (Cortez Province + Sinaloan Gap), Northern Tropical (Mexican Province to Nicaragua + Revillagigedos), Equatorial (Costa Rica to Ecuador + Galapagos, Clipperton, Cocos, Malpelo)

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to the Galapagos.
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Physical Description

Morphology

Size

Length max (cm): 22.6 (S)
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Vertebrae: 12
  • Nielsen, J.G., D.M. Cohen, D.F. Markle and C.R. Robins 1999 FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 18. Ophidiiform fishes of the world (Order Ophidiiformes). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of pearlfishes, cusk-eels, brotulas and other ophidiiform fishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(18):178p. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 34024)   http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=34024&speccode=17075 External link.
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Size

Maximum size: 200 mm NG
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© FishWise Professional

Source: FishWise Professional

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Max. size

20.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 11482))
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Diagnostic Description

Snout with numerous small, fleshy papillae; lips bearing series of dermal fringes; with small eye; posterior margin of preopercle skin-covered; spines absent from opercle and preopercle; upper margin of maxilla sheathed; developed gill rakers 3; single lateral line on body, no pores on head; median basibranchial tooth patch 1; branchiostegal rays 8 (Ref 34024).
  • Nielsen, J.G., D.M. Cohen, D.F. Markle and C.R. Robins 1999 FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 18. Ophidiiform fishes of the world (Order Ophidiiformes). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of pearlfishes, cusk-eels, brotulas and other ophidiiform fishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(18):178p. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 34024)   http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=34024&speccode=17075 External link.
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Ecology

Habitat

Habitat and Ecology

Habitat and Ecology
This reef-associated species is cryptic and inhabits rocky crevices in shallow water habitats. It feeds on benthic invertebrates and small fishes (Nielsen et al. 1999, Allen and Robertson, 1994).

Systems
  • Marine
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Depth range based on 7 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 3 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 3.5 - 20
  Temperature range (°C): 22.344 - 27.485
  Nitrate (umol/L): 2.498 - 6.523
  Salinity (PPS): 33.044 - 34.632
  Oxygen (ml/l): 4.215 - 4.602
  Phosphate (umol/l): 0.409 - 0.824
  Silicate (umol/l): 2.926 - 5.791

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 3.5 - 20

Temperature range (°C): 22.344 - 27.485

Nitrate (umol/L): 2.498 - 6.523

Salinity (PPS): 33.044 - 34.632

Oxygen (ml/l): 4.215 - 4.602

Phosphate (umol/l): 0.409 - 0.824

Silicate (umol/l): 2.926 - 5.791
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
Public Domain

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Habitat

Salinity: Marine, Marine Only

Inshore/Offshore: Inshore, Inshore Only

Water Column Position: Bottom, Bottom only

Habitat: Reef (rock &/or coral), Reef only, Rocks, Corals, Reef associated (reef + edges-water column & soft bottom)

FishBase Habitat: Reef Associated
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Environment

reef-associated; marine
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Trophic Strategy

Feeding

Feeding Group: Carnivore

Diet: mobile benthic crustacea (shrimps/crabs), bony fishes
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Life History and Behavior

Reproduction

Reproduction

Egg Type: Pelagic, Pelagic larva
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Conservation

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List Assessment


Red List Category
LC
Least Concern

Red List Criteria

Version
3.1

Year Assessed
2010

Assessor/s
Lea, B., Béarez, P., McCosker, J.

Reviewer/s
Carpenter, K., Polidoro, B., Livingstone, S. (Global Marine Species Assessment Team)

Justification
This species is widespread in the Eastern Pacific. There are no known major threats to this species, and no current indication of population decline. It is listed as Least Concern.
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Conservation status

IUCN Red List: Not evaluated / Listed

CITES: Not listed
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Population

Population
There is no population information available for this species.

Population Trend
Unknown
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Threats

Threats

Major Threats
There are no major threats known for this species.
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Least Concern (LC)
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Management

Conservation Actions

Conservation Actions
There are no known conservation measures for this species. However, this species distribution falls partially into a number of Marine Protected Areas (WDPA 2006).
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems

Benefits

Importance

fisheries: of no interest
  • Nielsen, J.G., D.M. Cohen, D.F. Markle and C.R. Robins 1999 FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 18. Ophidiiform fishes of the world (Order Ophidiiformes). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of pearlfishes, cusk-eels, brotulas and other ophidiiform fishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(18):178p. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 34024)   http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=34024&speccode=17075 External link.
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Disclaimer

EOL content is automatically assembled from many different content providers. As a result, from time to time you may find pages on EOL that are confusing.

To request an improvement, please leave a comment on the page. Thank you!