Striped cusk-eel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Striped cusk-eel |
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The striped cusk-eel (Ophidion marginatum) is a type of fish. It belongs to the Ophidiidae family. You can find this fish in the northwest Atlantic Ocean.
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What Does the Striped Cusk-Eel Look Like?
The striped cusk-eel gets its name from a special line on its side. This line is called a lateral line. It stops before the tail and is a different color from the rest of its body. The fish's body is usually a gray-green color.
This fish has a long, flat body. Its head is almost straight from its pointed snout to behind its eye. The snout sticks out a little past its mouth. There is a small spine near the tip of the snout. Male cusk-eels have a noticeable bump on the back of their neck.
Its dorsal fin (on its back), anal fin (on its belly), and caudal fin (tail fin) are all connected. The dorsal fin has many rays, usually between 147 and 158. The anal fin has 118 to 124 rays. Its pelvic fins (near its head) each have two rays. These rays are not the same length and are located under the eye.
The fish has smooth, long scales. They do not overlap, and there are no scales on its head. Its back is gray-green, its sides are golden, and its belly is white. It has two or three dark stripes along its body. One of these stripes runs along its lateral line. The sides of its head have brown spots. The dorsal fin is light green with a black edge. The anal fin also has a black edge.
A striped cusk-eel can grow up to 25 cm (about 10 inches) long.
Where Do Striped Cusk-Eels Live?
The striped cusk-eel lives in the northern Atlantic waters off the United States. You can find it from New England down to northeastern Florida.
Young striped cusk-eels, called larvae, live on the continental shelf of the United States. This is the underwater land that extends from the coast. Both larvae and slightly older young fish (juveniles) have been seen in estuaries. Estuaries are places where rivers meet the sea. They have been found in estuaries from Barnegat to Chesapeake Bay.
Life and Habits of the Striped Cusk-Eel
The striped cusk-eel is a benthic species. This means it lives on the bottom of the ocean. It burrows tail-first into soft places like sand or mud. These fish stay hidden during the day. At night, they come out of their burrows to hunt for food.
They live in waters close to the shore in spring and fall. We don't know much about where they go in winter. They might move to deeper waters offshore. Or, they might stay buried in the sand or mud and become inactive. They eat small crustaceans and fish that are smaller than themselves.
How Striped Cusk-Eels Make Sounds and Reproduce
Striped cusk-eels have a special way to make sounds. Their swim bladder, some bones in their back, and muscles in their head are changed. They form a drum-like sound maker. This sound maker is different in males and females.
Older male cusk-eels have a lump on their head. This lump is caused by larger muscles. These muscles help them make drumming sounds. They use these sounds to attract a mate.
Striped cusk-eels start to lay eggs in the summer. During courtship, a male and female will make sounds and move together. After mating, females can release small groups of eggs every night. This can continue for up to two months.
