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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🌡️ Subtropical

Sailfin eel

Letharchus velifer Goode & Bean, 1882
Max Length
51 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
3.8
Depth
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
30.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Sailfin eel (Letharchus velifer) is a ray-finned fish of the family Ophichthidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 51 cm. With a trophic level of 3.8, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Letharchus velifer
Authority
Goode & Bean, 1882
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
51 cm
Trophic Level
3.8
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
30.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Vertebrae: 135 - 142. Brown or black head with white markings; uniformly dark brown to black body and tail; white dorsal fin. No anal fin. Anterior nostril hole without raised rim. Suborbital pores 4; linear when viewed from the top .: eel-like.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Sailfin eel is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Sailfin eel is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Sailfin eel is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal. Subtropical; 37°N - 25°N North Carolina to northeastern Florida in USA and northeastern Gulf of Mexico.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.8±0.6

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00093 × L2.99 (TL)
Max TL
51cm
Vertebrae
139

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2011

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
30.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.8
Predator
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Goode & Bean, 1882

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English American Sailfin Eel · sailfin eel
🌍CES hadař tmavý
🇷🇺Russian Парусовидный летархус

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 2 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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