Kingdom Animalia Family Ophidiidae Genus Ophidion Order Ophidiiformes | Class Actinopterygii Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
Similar Ophidion, Lepophidium, Band cusk‑eel, Ophidiiformes, Basketweave cusk‑eel | ||
Sounds of the striped cusk eel
The striped cusk-eel (Ophidion marginatum) is a species of fish in the family Ophidiidae. It is found in the northwest Atlantic.
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Description
The striped cusk-eel is named as such due to its lateral line, which stops before the base of the tail and has a noticeably different shade than the rest of its body, which is a gray-green shade. It can grow up to 25 cm long.
Distribution and habitat
The striped cusk eel occurs from the northern Atlantic waters off the United States, ranging from New England to northeastern Florida. Larvae occupy the continental shelf of the United States, while a mixture of larvae and juveniles have been reported to occur in estuaries from Barnegat to Chesapeake Bay.
Reproduction and development
Spawning for the striped cusk eel begins in the summer. Courting and spawning rituals include the creation of sound and close, synchronized movements from a breeding pair. Females can release small containers of eggs nightly for up to two months after the breeding process has finished.