Apterichtus equatorialis (Myers & Wade, 1941)
Equatorial eel
Equatorial eel,  Tieso ecuatorial,  Tieso sin aletas
Apterichtus equatorialis
photo by Robertson, R.

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  31.2 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 10 - 134 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: between the Gulf of California and the Galapagos Islands.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished by the following characters: tail 1.8-2.0, head 11-16, and body depth 43-50 in total length; preopercular pores 3 and pores in supratemporal canal 3; teeth conical and uniserial on jaws and vomer; vomerine teeth 4-5; body coloration when preserved is uniform light tan, overlain with fine sparse brown speckling, branchial region and top of head with irregular small dark spots and blotches; MVF 59138, 132-146 total vertebrae (Ref. 101270).
Biology:  Inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms, from shallow waters (Ref. 9328); captured by rotenone, dredge and trawl (Ref. 101270).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Type locality: east of Isla Angel de la Guarda, Gulf of California, holotype of Caecula gymnocelus (Ref. 46206).


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