Pugnose Shore Eel

Diagnosis: Pelvic fins absent. Gill slit large. Postocular pore none; anterior, lacrymal, and posterior nasal pores absent. Vertebrae total 70, precaudal 23; last epineural on the 40th vertebra. Caudal rays 8. Dorsal origin posterior to the anus. This species differs from its congeners in having a moderately large gill opening (3.1-4.3 in HL); lack of a pelvic-fin rudiment, absence of all cephalic pores in the lateral-line system, and its large number (40) of epineural ribs. It possesses a short, blunt head with wide lips (giving it a rather pugnacious appearance), and short dorsal and anal fins (Ref. 56640).

Vertebrae: 70

Collected from coastal (deep) waters where it inhabits sandy bottoms (Ref. 56640).