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🌊 Marine Data Deficient 🌡️ Tropical

Finny snake eel

Caecula pterygera Vahl, 1794
Max Length
30 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.6
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
22.00/100
Typical Length
20 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Finny snake eel (Caecula pterygera) is a ray-finned fish. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 30 cm. With a trophic level of 3.6, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Caecula pterygera
Authority
Vahl, 1794
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
DD
Max Length
30 cm
Trophic Level
3.6
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
22.00/100
Migration
Amphidromous
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Genus
Caecula
Caecula
Species
Finny snake eel
Caecula pterygera

🐟 Physical Description

Vertebrae: 126 - 130. Body elongate, more or less cylindrical, slightly compressed, with a hard tail; sharply conical head; anterior nostril a downwardly facing tube near tip of snout, posterior nostril an inconspicuous slit in upper lip, guarded by a papilla; eyes very small, inconspicuous; mouth large, extending well behind eye; small, sharp, more or less uniserial teeth; gill opening a longitudinal slit beneath throat with an extra fold of skin alongside; dorsal fin origin over gill-opening; very poorly developed dorsal and anal fins .: eel-like.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Finny snake eel is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Finny snake eel is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Finny snake eel is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; demersal; amphidromous . Tropical Indian Ocean: southern India and probably most other parts of the Indian Ocean.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Migration
Amphidromous
Trophic Level
3.6±0.6

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00093 × L2.99 (TL)
Max TL
30cm
Vertebrae
128

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Data Deficient
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
22.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.6
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Vahl, 1794

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