Cortez Brotula

The species is distinguished by the following: vertebrae 10-13 + 29-32 = 40-44, dorsal fin rays 66-76, anal fin rays 50-61, outer pseudoclasper spinelike with two distinct supporters, anterior being 1/2 length of posterior, posterior extruding; inner pseudoclasper slender consisting mainly of supporter which is about length of anterior supporter of outer pseudoclasper, directed backward; penis with abrupt change from a thick base to a thin outer part; opercular spine with a single, sharp tip; narrow scale patch on cheeks with 5-10 vertical scale rows; otolith very slender (length: height ratio 2.4-2.6); posterior mandibular pores are large (Ref. 57883).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 66 - 76; Analsoft rays: 50 - 61; Vertebrae: 40 - 44

Collected over sand, weed, and coral or rocky bottom; including tide pools (Ref. 57883).

Collected over sand, weed, and coral or rocky bottom; including tide pools. A 55 mm SL female (USNM 322029) specimen contained about 150 eggs about 0.5 mm in diameter and 19 embryos, 6-8 mm TL, with two rows of 9-11 small pigment spots along dorsal and anal fin bases (Ref. 57883).