Brosmophyciops

Brosmophyciops pautzkei, the slimy cuskeel or free-tailed reef brotula, is a species of viviparous brotulas found in tropical reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. This species grows to 7 cm (2.8 in) total length. This species is the only known member of its genus.^[2] The specific name honours Clarence F. Pautzke, who was a former student of the describer of this species who went on to become the chief biologist in the Department of Game of Washington state and who was present on Bikini Atoll in 1946 and 1947 when the type specimen was collected.^[3]

Clarence F. Pautzke (standing, 2nd from left) at the Bikini Atoll Radiological Survey, summer 1947

Brosmophyciops
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Ophidiiformes
Family:	Bythitidae
Subfamily:	Brosmophycinae
Genus:	Brosmophyciops Schultz, 1960
Species:	B. pautzkei
Binomial name
Brosmophyciops pautzkei L. P. Schultz, 1960