Speckled worm-eel
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit seagrass beds from bays and mangroves to offshore reefs. They move to open sea to spawn. The species has considerable regenerative powers . Tidal creeks and brackish estuaries offshore to depths of 7 m . Reported from fresh water in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Mexico . Caught for bait fishery with use of ichthyotoxic plants (e.g. 'cunabi') along the north Brazilian coast .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Pale brown, with a fine peppering of black spots on the back and sides of the body; ventral surface is light .: eel-like.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Speckled worm-eel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Speckled worm-eel is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Speckled worm-eel is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; reef-associated; catadromous ; depth range 0 - 100 m . Tropical North Carolina (USA) to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico, the West Indies, and the coast of Central America.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Speckled worm-eel is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.9 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 146 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Speckled worm-eel has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | speckled worm eel · Speckled Worm-eel |
| 🌍CES | hadař tečkovaný |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Cutuca · Muriongo |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Пятнистый мирофис |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Safio Pecoso · tieso gusano |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 131 records indexed .
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