Eastern Eel Slickhead

This speciesi differs from L. affinis, L. macrops, L. retropinna by having a distinct gap between the posterior ends of the dorsal and anal fins and the origins of the upper and lower procurrent caudal-fin rays; differs from L. lubricum by lacking dermal papillae along the lateral line, by having pectoral fins low on body (vs. high) with 6 fin rays (vs. 7-8), and having fewer caudal-fin rays 16 (vs. 17-18); differs L. macrophthalmum by having a longer pre-dorsal length 54.9% SL (vs. 49.3%), fewer pectoral-fin rays 6 (vs. 8), fewer pelvic-fin rays 5 (vs. 8) and longer dorsal- and anal-fin rays (vs. shorter); differs from its congeners by having fewer pre-ural vertebrae 60 (vs. 64-84) (Ref. 113803).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 33; Analsoft rays: 48; Vertebrae: 60