Spinyhead Cusk
Hastatobythites arafurensis
- Usual depth820–897 m
- Water temperature22–28 °C
- Best monthsAugust and November
- How commonRare
About this species
The spinyhead cusk is a species of viviparous brotula found in the western Pacific Ocean where it occurs from the Arafura Sea to New South Wales, Australia. It is found at depths of from 146 to 850 metres. This species grows to a length of 9 centimetres (3.5 in) SL.
Text from the Wikipedia article “Spinyhead cusk”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the article
Where and when
Where it has been recorded
Worldwide
Loading the map
Best months
Worldwide (open data)
- January: 0 records
- February: 0 records
- March: 0 records
- April: 0 records
- May: 0 records
- June: 0 records
- July: 0 records
- August: 2 records
- September: 0 records
- October: 0 records
- November: 2 records
- December: 0 records
Depth and water temperature
Depth
Mostly recorded at 820–897 m · Deepest record: 897 m
Water temperature
Recorded in surface water of 22–28 °C
Names and classification
- English
- Spinyhead Cusk
Similar species
Grey BrotulaBidenichthys consobrinus
- Gelatinous Blindfish
Aphyonus gelatinosus
- Spotted Gelatinous Cusk
Barathronus maculatus
- Slimy Cusk
Brosmophyciops pautzkei
- White Brotula
Cataetyx chthamalorhynchus
Sources and credits
Names and taxonomy: WoRMS (CC BY 4.0) and the GBIF Backbone (CC BY 4.0). Photos: iNaturalist observers, each under the licence shown (CC0, CC BY or CC BY-SA).
- Depth, temperature, months and maps: records from OBIS and GBIF under CC0 or CC BY.
- Descriptions: Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA, each linked to its article.
- Conservation status as published by GBIF (IUCN Red List).
- 4 open-data records from 1989 to 1990.
- Species data updated November 3, 2026.
Log what you see on your next dive
The free DiveHive diver app keeps your logbook with every sighting and shows what lives at the site you dive next.