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Equatorial finless eel (Apterichtus equatorialis) — Ophichthidae

Equatorial finless eel

Apterichtus equatorialis
Family: Ophichthidae

The Equatorial finless eel (Apterichtus equatorialis) is a saltwater fish of the family Ophichthidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
31.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–134.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Ecuador, Galapagos Is., Mexico, Panama

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Description

The equatorial finless eel is a snake eel (Ophichthidae) from shallow sandy water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a very slender, worm-like, pale body without pectoral fins, with a pointed head and a hard, pointed tail with which it burrows backwards into sand. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it lies hidden by day and searches for small invertebrates and small fish at night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Equatorial finless eel?

The Equatorial finless eel has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Equatorial finless eel live?

The Equatorial finless eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Ecuador, Galapagos Is., Mexico, Panama

How big does the Equatorial finless eel get?

The Equatorial finless eel grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.

Is the Equatorial finless eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Equatorial finless eel is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Equatorial finless eel sourced
Scientific name
Apterichtus equatorialis
Family
Ophichthidae
Other names
Finless eel; Equatorial eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
134.0 verified
Natural range
South America: Ecuador, Galapagos Is., Mexico, Panama sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

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 verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Apterichtus

More from the family Ophichthidae

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