Bearded brotula (Brotula barbata) is a saltwater species recorded in the United States. It is mainly found over reef.
Scientific name: Brotula barbata · Water: Saltwater
Size: up to 94 cm
The bearded brotula is an ophidiid whose adults are benthopelagic, occurring down to 650 m but most often on the continental shelf, over sandy and muddy bottoms; juveniles are common in reefs. It is oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs that float in a gelatinous mass, and smaller silvery specimens are taken far out at sea in the epipelagic. Maximum length is about 94 cm total length, commonly about 50 cm. It is a minor commercial species and a gamefish, with a high price category. Fishing vulnerability is moderate to high at 52 of 100 and resilience medium, and climate vulnerability is high at 65 of 100. IUCN lists it as least concern.
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