Callechelys muraena

Callechelys muranea, Blotched Snake Eel. Source: McCosker 1989.
Callechelys muranea, Blotched Snake Eel. Source: McCosker 1989.
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
OphichthidaeCallechelys muraenaJordan and Evermann1887Blotched Snake Eel

All Callechelys Species: Tail tip a hard or fleshy finless point. Gill openings inferior, parallel or converging forward, isthmus narrower than gill opening length, unconstricted. Dorsal fin present, generally elevated, its origin on nape above supraoccipital. Pectoral fins absent; anal fin present. Median groove on underside of snout extends to and beyond anterior nostril bases. Vomerine and intermaxillary teeth present.

Callechelys muraena

Callechelys muraena, Blotched Snake Eel. Source: Jordan & Davis 1892.
Callechelys muraena, Blotched Snake Eel. Source: Jordan & Davis 1892.

Unique Characters: 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.

Similar Species:

Callechelys guineensis, Shorttail Snake Eel

Callechelys guineensis, Shorttail Snake Eel. Source McCosker 1989.
Callechelys guineensis, Shorttail Snake Eel. Source McCosker 1989.

Shorttail Snake Eel, Callechelys guineensis. 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. Dorsal spots of large individuals not coalesced into saddles.

Callechelys springeri, Ridgefin Eel

Callechelys springeri, Ridgefin Eel. Source McCosker 1989.
Callechelys springeri, Ridgefin Eel. Source McCosker 1989.

Ridgefin Eel, Callechelys springeri. 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. Dorsal spots of large individuals coalesced into dark saddles.

References:

Jordan, D.S. and B.M. Davis. 1892. A preliminary review of the Apodal fishes, or eels, inhabiting the waters of America and Europe. United States Commission of Fish And Fisheries. Part XVI. Report of the  Commissioner for 1888 (July 1, 1888 to June 30, 1889). Washington, DC, Government Printing Office. pp. 581-677

McCosker, J.E. A revision of the Snake-eel genus Callechelys (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) with the description of two new Indo-Pacific species and a new callechelyin genus. Proceedings of the Califormia Academy of Sciences, 50(7):185-215, 14 figs., 1 pl, 4 tables.