Teleostei (teleosts) >
Anguilliformes (Eels and morays) >
Ophichthidae (Snake eels) > Ophichthinae
Etymology: Apterichtus: From the Greek απτερόν (apteron), without fins, and ίχθύς (ichtus, more correctly written ichthys; masculine), fish.
Eponymy: Dr William Converse Kendall (1861–1939) qualified as a physician at Georgetown University, Washington DC (1885). [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Gilbert.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range 3 - 400 m (Ref. 4455), usually 30 - 80 m (Ref. 37039). Subtropical; 37°N - 8°N
Western Atlantic: North Carolina, USA and western Bahamas to Venezuela. Eastern Atlantic: only one specimen from St. Helena Island (Ref. 4455).
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 2.4, range 2 - 2.46 cm
Max length : 60.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5288)
Vertebrae: 137 - 145. This species is distinguished by the following characters: tail 1.8-1.9, head 14-19, and body depth 53-67 in total length; preopercular pores 3 and pores in supratemporal canal 3; conical teeth, uniserial on jaws and vomer; vomerine teeth 5-7; body coloration nearly uniform pale yellow to tan, fresh specimens have a fine sprinkling of melanophores which can take on a mottled or freckled appearance; two brown blotches behind the eye surround a pale patch about equal to eye; and MVF 62-142, total vertebrae 137-145 (n=14) (Ref. 101270).
Body shape (shape guide): eel-like; Cross section: oval.
Burrows in the sand on the continental shelf (Ref. 4455).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Robins, C.R. and G.C. Ray, 1986. A field guide to Atlantic coast fishes of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, U.S.A. 354 p. (Ref. 7251)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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