Gnathophis bathytopos

Gnathophis bathytopos

Unique Characters: Body moderately elongate. Mouth horizontal or slightly oblique. Snout length only slightly less than, to somewhat greater than diameter of eye. Anterior nostrils free; posterior nostril
at or above mideye level. Pectoral fin well developed. Tip of tail slightly stiffened and caudal fin somewhat reduced. Preanal length usually less than 40% total length; dorsal- and anal-fin rays segmented. Inner row of maxillary and mandibular teeth not separated from outer rows by an edentulous groove. Maxillary and mandibular teeth concealed when mouth closed; maxillary and mandibular teeth in bands or in 2 rows, not forming a cutting edge. A narrow upper labial flange present. 2nd and approximately 7th – 13th lateral-line pores elevated, opening from dorsal side of canal. Stomach black.

Similar Species: Longeye Conger, Gnathophis bracheatopos.  Dorsal, caudal, and anal fins pale with dark edges. Lower jaw about same length as upper jaw. Maxillary and mandibular teeth in bands or in 2 rows, the outer row not forming a cutting edge. Body moderately elongate. Mouth horizontal or slightly oblique. Snout length only slightly less than, to somewhat greater than diameter of eye. Anterior nostrils free. Pectoral fin well developed; caudal fin present though sometimes reduced. Preanal length usually less than 40% total length. Posterior nostril at or above mideye level. Dorsal- and anal-fin rays segmented. Tip of tail slightly stiffened and caudal fin somewhat reduced. A narrow upper labial flange present. Only second and at most 1 other lateral-line pore elevated. Stomach pale.