Dogface witch eel

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Dogface witch eel
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Nettastomatidae
Genus: Facciolella
Species:
F. equatorialis
Binomial name
Facciolella equatorialis
(Gilbert, 1891)
Synonyms[1]
  • Chlopsis equatorialis[1] Gilbert, 1891

The dogface witch eel (Facciolella equatorialis) is an eel in the family Nettastomatidae (duckbill/witch eels).[2] It was described by Charles Henry Gilbert in 1891.[3] It is a marine, deep water-dwelling eel which is known from the eastern central Pacific Ocean, including Point Conception, California; Panama, Guadalupe, and the Galapagos Islands. The fish is known to dwell at an approximate depth of 734 meters. Males can reach a maximum total length of 90 centimetres.[2]

The color is uniformly brown.[1]

The dogface witch eel's diet consists primarily of small deep-water crustaceans.[4] To humans, it is considered harmless.[1]

The name facciolella is of Latin origin, diminutive of falx ("sickle").[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Synonyms of Facciolella equatorialis at www.fishbase.org.
  2. ^ a b Facciolella equatorialis at www.fishbase.org.
  3. ^ Gilbert, C. H., 1891 (8 Sept.) [ref. 1625] Descriptions of apodal fishes from the tropical Pacific. In: Scientific results of explorations by the U. S. Fish Commission steamer Albatross. Proceedings of the United States National Museum v. 14 (no. 856): 347–352.
  4. ^ Food items reported for Facciolella equatorialis at www.fishbase.org.
  5. ^ "Synonyms - Detail". fishbase.mnhn.fr. Retrieved 23 September 2023.