Derichthys serpentinus Gill, 1884
Narrownecked oceanic eel
photo by Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada

Family:  Derichthyidae (Longneck eels)
Max. size:  40 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 2000 m
Distribution:  Circumglobal: In tropical to temperate waters. Eastern Atlantic: one confirmed record near Ascension Islands. Eastern Pacific: southern California to Chile (Ref. 35591).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. Black in color, lateral line pores light (Ref. 6592). Lateral line pores before anus about 55 (Ref. 6592).
Biology:  Meso- to bathypelagic (Ref. 58302). Feed on small fishes and crustaceans. Eggs and leptocephali are planktonic (Ref. 35591). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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