Scientific Name
Simenchelys parasitica

Common Name
Snubnosed eel

Biology
Found on the continental slope and upper abyssal depths. Feed on invertebrates and fishes. Reported to be parasitic on fishes. Eggs are probably pelagic.

Classification

Classified By

Gill, 1879

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Eels and Morays (Anguilliformes)

Family

Cutthroat eels (Synaphobranchidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Atlantic

Distribution

Eastern Atlantic: France to Madeira and the Azores, one specimen near Cape Verde, also off South Africa. Western Atlantic: USA. Western Pacific: off Japan, near Wake Island, Australia and off New Zealand.

Range

44°N - 42°S

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

4 °C

Water Temperature To

9 °C

Depth From - meters

136 m

Depth To - meters

2620 m

Zone

bathydemersal

Environment

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 136 - 2620 m , usually 500 - 1800 m

Trophic Level

3.68 s.e. 0.54 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

61.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (25 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming fecundity > 100)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)