Nettastomatidae, the duckbill eels or witch eels are a family of eels. The name is from νῆττα (Greek: duck) and στόμα (Greek: mouth).
Nettastomatidae | |
---|---|
Venefica tentaculata | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Anguilliformes |
Suborder: | Congroidei |
Family: | Nettastomatidae |
Genera | |
Facciolella |
Duckbill eels are found along the continental slopes of tropical and temperate oceans worldwide. They are bottom-dwelling fish, feeding on invertebrates and smaller fish.[1] They are slender eels, up to 125 centimetres (4.10 ft) in length, with narrow heads and large, toothy, mouths. Most species lack pectoral fins.
Species
editAbout 40 species are placed in seven genera:
- Genus Facciolella
- Genus Hoplunnis
- Genus Leptocephalus
- Genus Nettastoma
- Genus Nettenchelys
- Genus Saurenchelys
- Genus Venefica
References
edit- ^ McCosker, John F. (1998). Paxton, J.R.; Eschmeyer, W.N. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. p. 90. ISBN 0-12-547665-5.
External links
edit- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Family Nettastomatidae". FishBase. June 2011 version.