Dicrolene multifilis (Alcock, 1889)
Slender brotula
Dicrolene multifilis
photo by SFSA

Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae
Max. size:  26 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 344 - 1700 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: off Table Bay and east coast of South Africa; also from other parts of the Indian Ocean.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 102-115; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 82-95. Snout rather blunt; eye diameter almost as long as snout; opercular spine strong and straight; hind margin of preopercle usually with 3 sharp spines; 1 median (broad) and a pair (small and placed behind median one) of basibranchial tooth patches; pseudobranchial filaments 2 or 3; 7-15 developed rakers on anterior arch; lower 5-11 pectoral fin rays free and longer than upper ones; precaudal vertebrae 13-16 (Ref. 34024). No black fin rays; spines in supraorbital absent and on preopercle absent or weak (Ref. 34024).
Biology:  Uncommon species (Ref. 34024). Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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