Family Ophidiidae

Common names:  cusk-eels and brotulas

Distribution:  Worldwide from shallow water  to 8,370 meters.  This group includes the deepest living species of fish, Abyssobrotula galathea captured at 8370 meters in the Puerto Rico Trench.  Although distributed worldwide, these fishes are more diverse and dominant in subtropical and tropical regions of the deep-sea.  A few species are pelagic but the majority are benthic or benthopelagic.  

General description and features:  Generally elongate fishes.  The tail is usually confluent with the dorsal and anal fins so that it looks much like an eel.  The pelvic fins are much reduces (usually just 2 soft short rays).  All are egg laying (oviparous) fishes which in part distinguishes them from their sister group the Bythitidae which bear live young.

Feeding:  Highly variable amongst members of the family from large fish predators to small species feeding on worms and tiny crustaceans.

Reproduction and life history:   

Spectrunculus grandis, filmed at 3000 m in Monterey Bay.  This is a very large ophidid reaching at least three feet in length.  It is commonly observed in the Monterey Bay between 2000 and 3500 meters.