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🌊 Marine Vulnerable 🌡️ Deep-water

Basketwork eel

Diastobranchus capensis Barnard, 1923
Max Length
180 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4.5
Depth
183–2000 m
Climate
Deep-water
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
81.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
deep-water

📖 Overview

Basketwork eel (Diastobranchus capensis) is a ray-finned fish of the family Synaphobranchidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in deep-water environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 180 cm. It occurs at depths between 183 and 2000 metres. With a trophic level of 4.5, it is an apex predator. It is assessed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Diastobranchus capensis
Authority
Barnard, 1923
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Deep-water
IUCN Status
VU
Max Length
180 cm
Depth Range
183–2000 m
Latitude
50°S – 5°N
Trophic Level
4.5
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
81.00/100
Water Temp
3–4 °C
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dark purplish black in color . Lateral line pores before anus about 27 .: eel-like.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Basketwork eel is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

small fish
crustaceans
cephalopods

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 183 - 2000 m . Deep-water; 3°C - 4°C ; 5°N - 50°S, 50°W - 179°E South Africa, off Tasmania, New Zealand, Discovery Seamount and the Rio Grande Rise off South America (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌑 Deep Water
Trophic Level
4.5±0.55

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00052 × L3.13 (TL)
Max TL
180cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
3–4°C
Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Vulnerable
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
81.00/100
Very High vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.5
Apex / Top predator
Climate Zone
Deep-water
Latitude Range
5°N – 50°S
Described By
Barnard, 1923

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Diastobranchus danae Bruun 1937 Synonym
Ilyophis capensis Barnard 1923 Synonym
Synaphobranchus capensis Barnard 1923 Synonym
Synaphobranchus danae Bruun 1937 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 12 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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