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Bicolor eel (Chlopsis bicolor) — Chlopsidae

Bicolor eel

Chlopsis bicolor
Family: Chlopsidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bicolor eel (Chlopsis bicolor) is a saltwater fish of the family Chlopsidae that grows up to 42 cm.

Length
42 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
80.0–365.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Atlantic Ocean (both sides) and Mediterranean Sea; muddy bottoms.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The bicolor false moray is a false moray (Chlopsidae) from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The species has a slender, eel-like body that is two-coloured: dark on the back and lighter on the belly. It lives on the continental shelf and upper slope, where it burrows into muddy bottoms. As a nocturnal hunter it snaps small invertebrates and small fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bicolor eel?

The Bicolor eel has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Two-coloured, eel-like body; burrowing false moray of muddy bottoms.

Where does the Bicolor eel live?

The Bicolor eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Atlantic Ocean (both sides) and Mediterranean Sea; muddy bottoms.

How big does the Bicolor eel get?

The Bicolor eel grows to a maximum of about 42 cm.

Is the Bicolor eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Bicolor eel is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bicolor eel edible?

The Bicolor eel is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Bicolor eel verified
Scientific name
Chlopsis bicolor
Family
Chlopsidae
Other names
Bicolor eel; Bicolored false moray; Bicoloured false moray; Bicouloured false moray; False moray verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
42.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
80.0 verified
Max depth (m)
365.0 verified
Natural range
Atlantic Ocean (both sides) and Mediterranean Sea; muddy bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Two-coloured, eel-like body; burrowing false moray of muddy bottoms. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Chlopsis

More from the family Chlopsidae

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