. California fish and game. Fisheries -- California; Game and game-birds -- California; Fishes -- California; Animal Population Groups; Pêches; Gibier; Poissons. BASKETWEAVE CUSK-EEL BEHAVIOR 109 OBSERVATIONS When tlu' eusk-eels were placed in the aijuariuiu, wliieli had only about 1 inch of sand in it, they displayed the "tail standing" be- havior which Herald (1953) described for the spotted cusk-eel, Oto- phifli}i))i taylori. However, after watching this behavior for some time, it became evident that the fish were simply trj'ing to bore deeper into the sand with their tails. The c
. California fish and game. Fisheries -- California; Game and game-birds -- California; Fishes -- California; Animal Population Groups; Pêches; Gibier; Poissons. BASKETWEAVE CUSK-EEL BEHAVIOR 109 OBSERVATIONS When tlu' eusk-eels were placed in the aijuariuiu, wliieli had only about 1 inch of sand in it, they displayed the "tail standing" be- havior which Herald (1953) described for the spotted cusk-eel, Oto- phifli}i))i taylori. However, after watching this behavior for some time, it became evident that the fish were simply trj'ing to bore deeper into the sand with their tails. The caudal fins showed extensive rupturing of the blood vessels from digging against the bottom of the tank. Nine inches of sand were then added to tlie tank, and the cusk-eels promptly dug down tail first until they were completely buried under the surface of the sand (Figure 1). The burrowing action w^as preceded by a re-. FIGURE 1—Basketweave cusk-eel, Otophidium scrippsi, burrowing by Jack Turner, December 1966. into the sand. Phofograph versal in swimming direction, so that the fish moved backward for sev- eral inches with accentuated anguilliform movements. The cusk-eels would then dig the tips of their tails into the sand, raise their bodies so that they were perpendicular to the surface of the bottom, and then burrow straight down into the sand. In some cases, a fish would stay completely buried for up to 5 minutes before coming to the surface and blowing the sand away with several bursts, giving the effect of a small volcano. The fish then remained with just the tips of their snouts protruding from the surface of the sand. Once sufficient sand had been added to the tank, the "tail standing" behavior was not again ob- served. Throughout the daylight hours the cusk-eels remained with just the tips of their snouts above the sand; however, one-half to one hour after dusk, or after the lights in the laboratory were turned otf. tlie fish emerged from the sand until h
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