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Seagrass eel (Chilorhinus suensonii) — Chlopsidae

Seagrass eel

Chilorhinus suensonii
Family: Chlopsidae
LC · Least Concern

The Seagrass eel (Chilorhinus suensonii) is a saltwater fish of the family Chlopsidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic, from Florida and the Caribbean to Brazil.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The seagrass eel is a small eel-like fish of the family Chlopsidae (false morays) from the western Atlantic. The species has a snake-like, brown body and reaches about 18 cm. It lives hidden in sandy bottoms and seagrass beds bathed by clear, oceanic water. The diet consists of small fishes and invertebrates. Owing to its secretive, burrowing habits the species is rarely observed. Because of its small size it has no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Seagrass eel?

The Seagrass eel has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Eel-like false moray; lives hidden in sand and seagrass beds.

Where does the Seagrass eel live?

The Seagrass eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic, from Florida and the Caribbean to Brazil.

How big does the Seagrass eel get?

The Seagrass eel grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Seagrass eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Seagrass eel is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Seagrass eel edible?

The Seagrass eel is not usually eaten.

More photos

Seagrass eel (Chilorhinus suensonii) — Chlopsidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Seagrass eel (Chilorhinus suensonii) — Chlopsidae — 3
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF

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All data

Identification

English name
Seagrass eel verified
Scientific name
Chilorhinus suensonii
Family
Chlopsidae
Other names
Seagrass Eel; Seagrass eel; Suenson's worm eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Western Atlantic, from Florida and the Caribbean to Brazil.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Eel-like false moray; lives hidden in sand and seagrass beds. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Chlopsidae

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