Gargoyle cusk explained

The gargoyle cusk (Xyelacyba myersi) is a species of cusk-eel from the subfamily Neobythitinae of the family Ophidiidae. This species grows to a length of 57cm (22inches) TL. It is the only known member of its genus, although research suggests the species should be classified in the genus Acanthonus.^[1] The specific name honours George S. Myers (1905-1985) of Stanford University who taught the describer, Daniel Cohen, ichthyology.^[2] It is a rare benthopelagic fish which occurs at depths of NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet) around the world, other than the eastern Pacific, in tropical and subtropical latitudes.^[3] The larvae are similar in overall form to the related bony-eared assfish, but have the 1–4 and 15–20 pectoral-fin rays elongated.

Notes and References

1. Girard . Matthew G. . Nonaka . Ai . Baldwin . Carole C. . Johnson . G. David . 2024 . Discovery and description of elaborate larval cusk-eels and the relationships among Acanthonus, Tauredophidium, and Xyelacyba (Teleostei: Ophidiidae) . Early Life History and Biology of Marine Fishes: Research Inspired by the Work of H Geoffrey Moser . en . 20–42 . 10.7755/pp.24.3. free .
2. Nielsen, J.G. . P.R. Møller . M. Segonzac . amp . 2006 . Ventichthys biospeedoi n. gen. et sp. (Teleostei, Ophidiidae) from a hydrothermal vent in the South East Pacific . Zootaxa . 1247 . 13–24. 10.11646/zootaxa.1247.1.2 .
3. Web site: Bray, D.J.. 2014 . Xyelacyba myersi . Fishes of Australia . 14 July 2018 . Museums Victoria.