Shortbelly eel

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Pectoral fin present; dorsal-fin origin slightly anterior to pectoral-fin base, predorsal length 10.7 – 13.1 % TL; anus anterior, below tip of pectoral fin, preanal length 15.9 – 18.9 % TL; trunk very short, 2.8 – 5.5 % TL; two intermaxillary teeth; 4 compound teeth on vomer; single row of 9 – 11 large compound teeth on lower jaw; head pores: IO 4, SO 3; M 6; POP 0; AD 1, F 0, ST 0; lateral-line pores: predorsal 3 – 6, prepectoral 6 – 9, preanal 8 – 12, total 57 – 75, the last at posterior two-thirds of total length; MVF 8 - 14 - 124, total vertebrae 119 – 128 (119 – 130 in Robins & Robins, 1989). Body light brown to blackish dorsally, paler ventrally. Dorsal fin and most part of anal fin white; posterior margin of anal fin with black and white color. Caudal fin black with upper margin white.

Review of the arrowtooth eel genera Dysomma and Dysommina in Taiwan, with the description of a new species (Anguilliformes: Synaphobranchidae: Ilyophinae)

distribution

Distribution. Widespread in the Indo-west Pacific and Atlantic oceans, although the taxonomic status of the various geographic populations is still to be determined. In Taiwan, it is the most abundant species of Dysomma and can be collected by bottom and midwater trawls from near the surface (<50 m) to as deep as 600 m.

Review of the arrowtooth eel genera Dysomma and Dysommina in Taiwan, with the description of a new species (Anguilliformes: Synaphobranchidae: Ilyophinae)

discussion

Remarks. A common species collected by midwater trawl off northeastern and southwestern Taiwan. It usually feeds on midwater shrimps.

Annotated checklist of eels (orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes) from Taiwan

discussion

Remarks. A very common species collected by bottom trawl and midwater trawl around Taiwan. It is far more abundant than all other congeners in Taiwan. Dysomma dolichosomatum Karrer, 1983 ɫAaUª

Annotated checklist of eels (orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes) from Taiwan