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Seagrass eel (Chilorhinus suensonii) — Chlopsidae

Seagrass eel

Chilorhinus suensonii
Family: Chlopsidae
LC · Least Concern

The Seagrass eel (Chilorhinus suensonii) is a saltwater fish of the family Chlopsidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The seagrass eel is a small eel-like fish of the family Chlopsidae (false morays) from the western Atlantic. The species has a snake-like, brown body and reaches about 18 cm. It lives hidden in sandy bottoms and seagrass beds bathed by clear, oceanic water. The diet consists of small fishes and invertebrates. Owing to its secretive, burrowing habits the species is rarely observed. Because of its small size it has no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Seagrass eel?

The Seagrass eel has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Seagrass eel live?

The Seagrass eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Seagrass eel get?

The Seagrass eel grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Seagrass eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Seagrass eel is harmless to humans.

Is the Seagrass eel edible?

The Seagrass eel is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Witte zeeaal sourced
English name
Seagrass eel verified
Scientific name
Chilorhinus suensonii
Family
Chlopsidae
Other names
Seagrass Eel; Seagrass eel; Suenson's worm eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 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
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Chlopsidae

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