Dysomma anguillare Barnard, 1923
Shortbelly eel
Dysomma anguillare
photo by NOAA\NMFS\Mississippi Laboratory

Family:  Synaphobranchidae (Cutthroat eels), subfamily: Ilyophinae
Max. size:  60 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 30 - 270 m
Distribution:  Widespread in the Indo-West Pacific: and Atlantic.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 119-130. This species is distinguished by the following characters: presence of pectoral fin; dorsal-fin origin is 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; very short trunk, 2.8-5.5% TL; intermaxillary teeth 2; compound teeth on vomer 4; 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 (up to 130 in Robins & Robins, 1989) (Ref. 106136).
Biology:  Inhabits coastal waters. Prefers muddy bottoms, often off mouths of large rivers.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Reported from southeastern waters (Ref. 126308).


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