deco_martini
Contributor
Someone in the bay islands forum posted a pic of what is presumably an eel that they could not ID. It stumped me as well so I am posting the pic here.
Mystery Eel in Roatan
- Thread starter deco_martini
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deborahdelamar
Contributor
This is a suggested ballpark ID based on limited knowledge. A snake eel -- maybe a whip eel or similar (Genus Bascanichthys -- related to the bi-colored sand eel that is found in Florida.) I'm basing this on its location -- exposed on the Honduran sand -- its length, and distinctive coloration: head lighter than body, dark dorsal fin, very dark above, very light lateral lines. Could be a bi-colored sand eel, for that matter! Good luck!
OP
deco_martini
Contributor
Callechelys bilinearis, Twostripe snake eel
Close match except for the head. The head continues to stump me.
Close match except for the head. The head continues to stump me.
deborahdelamar
Contributor
Yeah, I see... The eye is set so high -- and the head is short without a sand-digger's snout. It looks kind of like a wildcat's head! Interesting mystery.
Sully3
Contributor
send it to Les Wilk from Reefnet.
he should be able to get you an ID
he should be able to get you an ID
cfelliot
Contributor
I photographed this eel in Roatan, Honduras.
OP
deco_martini
Contributor
I opened a thread in the "Name that critter" subforum for your mystery eel already.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/name-critter/302587-mystery-eel-roatan.html
Its a real stumper. And that makes me excited, since it makes me wonder if you found something uncatalogued.
threads merged..
Rick
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/name-critter/302587-mystery-eel-roatan.html
Its a real stumper. And that makes me excited, since it makes me wonder if you found something uncatalogued.
A ScubaBoard Staff Message...
Rick
Last edited by a moderator:
OP
deco_martini
Contributor
That's a very interesting eel.
The dark underside, dark dorsal fin with a white base, lack of a pectoral fin, and the mottled head all say Aprognathodon platyventris (stripe eel). However, the eyes and the origin of the dorsal fin seem too far back. It could be an undescribed species.
I will get the opinion of an eel specialist and get back to you.
Regards
Les
_____________
Les Wilk
ReefNet Inc.
Sully3
Contributor
wow,
could be an even better find than
you thought
could be an even better find than
you thought
cfelliot
Contributor
Here's a bigger shot of the head of the eel which I took in Roatan. This is 1 to 1:
Chuck Elliot
Chuck Elliot
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