Blind cave eel
📖 Overview
Facultative air-breathing ; Adults occur in subterranean systems (uniquely adapted to life in dark caverns and fissures). Inhabit dark subterranean waters beneath coastal limestone, occasionally sighted in wells. Burrow into soft bottom sediments. Water is brackish and under tidal influence. Can adapt to living in a lightless environment . Are carnivores feeding on invertebrates, egg layer and prefer the following aquarium conditions: pH=7.8, H=15, 25°C water temperature, salinity 1-8 ppt; rocky substrate (note that this is not a species recommended for beginning aquarists, Ref. 6398, 44894). The male guards and builds nest or burrow .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Vertebrae: 150. Body extremely elongated, eel-like and roundish. No fins except a thin rayless finfold near and around the tip of the tail. No externally visible eyes. The lateral line system is distinct and continues to near the tip of the tail. Anus in anterior half of the body. Whitish coloration in the skin.: eel-like.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blind cave eel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
The blind cave eel feeds primarily based on crustaceans in subterranean and other cave substrate organisms, but have also been documented to feed on terrestrials washed into the cave system. In the gut contents examined by the Western Australia Museum, Halosbaena tulki, Stygiocaris, Philosciidae, and larvae are found. Despite being restricted to subterranean waters adapting a characteristic of faecal ooze, it is sometimes observed in shallow water lying on rock surfaces on its own or in pairs.
🥚 Reproduction
The male guards and builds nest or burrow .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; demersal; pH range: 6.8 - 7.3; potamodromous ; depth range 0 - 3 m . Tropical; 21°S - 23°S
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Blind Cave Eel |
| 🌍CES | hrdložábřík bělavý |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annomatophasma candidum | Mees | 1962 | Synonym |
| Anommatophasma candidum | Mees | 1962 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
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