Common Name
Eel-like Blindfish
Year Described
Nielsen, 1984
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 78
Anal Fin: 48
Pectoral Fin: 20
Pelvic Fin: absent
Caudal Fin: 7
Gill Rakers: 10-15 (vestigial)
Vertebrae: 85 (50 precaudal)
Very elongate and eel-like, with a projecting lower jaw. Skin loose and scaleless with tiny skinflaps along lateral line. Head much broader than body. Mouth horizontal; extending past eye. Eyes tiny and embedded in skin. Teeth poorly developed with none on palatine. Pectoral fin with short pedicel. Dorsal and anal fin continuous with caudal fin.
Color
Likely pale and translucent in life.
Size
Maximum size collected about 72mm SL.
Habitat
Abyssal depths on the bottom (5073m).
Range
Known from the Atlantic from one specimen in the Central Atlantic northeast of Brazil.
References
Nielsen, J.G. 1969. Systematics and biology of the Aphyonidae (Pisces, Ophidioidea). Galathea Report v. 10: 7-90, Pls. 1-4.
Nielsen, J.G., D.M. Cohen, D.F. Markle, and C.R. Robins. 1999. Ophidiiform fishes of the world (Order Ophidiiformes). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of pearlfishes, cusk-eels, brotulas and other ophidiiform fishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(18): 178p.