Callechelys guineensis

FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
OphichthidaeCallechelys guineensis(Osório)1893Shortail Snake Eel

Callechelys guineensis

Unique Characters: Tail tip a hard or fleshy finless point. Dorsal fin present, generally elevated, its origin on nape above supraoccipital. Pectoral fins absent. Gill openings unconstructed, inferior, parallel or converging forward, isthmus narrower than gill opening length. Anal fin present. Median groove on underside of snout extends to and beyond anterior nostril bases. Vomerine and intermaxillary teeth present. Body elongate, its depth 1.7-2.2% total length. Head 5.6-7.1% total length. Jaw teeth fewer, 4 or 5 on each maxilla, 9-11 on each mandible.

Similar Species:

Blotched Snake Eel
Callechelys muraena

Stripe Eel
Aprognathodon platyventris

Blotched Snake Eel Callechelys muraena. Tail tip a hard or fleshy finless point. Dorsal fin present, generally elevated, its origin on nape above supraoccipital. Pectoral fins absent. Gill openings unconstructed, inferior, parallel or converging forward, isthmus narrower than gill opening length. Anal fin present. Median groove on underside of snout extends to and beyond anterior nostril bases. Vomerine and intermaxillary teeth present. Body moderately elongate, its depth 2.6-3.7% total length. Head 7.0-8.8% total length. Jaw teeth numerous, 7-11 on each maxilla, 11-17 on each mandible.

Stripe Eel Aprognathodon platyventris. Tail tip a hard or fleshy finless point. Dorsal fin present, generally elevated, its origin on nape above supraoccipital. Pectoral fins absent. Gill openings unconstructed, inferior, parallel or converging forward, isthmus narrower than gill opening length. Anal fin present. Underside of snout not incised anteriorly. Vomerine teeth absent.

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