Pelican eel (Eurypharynx pelecanoides)

Scientific name: Eurypharynx pelecanoides Vaillant, 1882

The Pelican eel (Eurypharynx pelecanoides) is a marine fish of the family Eurypharyngidae. Native range: Circumglobal, In tropical to temperate waters. Eastern Pacific: ranges from northern California to Peru.

Biology

Dorsal spines: 0; Anal spines: 0. Mouth greatly enlarged by a backward extension of jaws, gape comprising half or more of preanal length; buccal cavity greatly distensible. Tail attenuated and ending in an expanded, luminous caudal organ. Caudal fin absent; scales absent; lateral line without pores, instead with groups of elevated tubules.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Eurypharynx pelecanoides
Family: Eurypharyngidae (Gulpers)
Order: Saccopharyngiformes (Swallowers and Gulpers)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 100.0
Common length: 55.0
Depth range: 500–7625 m (1640–25016 ft)
Environment: Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 500 - 7625 m, usually 1200 - 1400 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: Circumglobal: In tropical to temperate waters. Eastern Pacific: ranges from northern California to Peru.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest
Resilience: Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Assuming semelparity with tm>10)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026