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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🌡️ Subtropical

Chilean worm eel

Scolecenchelys chilensis McCosker, 1970
Max Length
28.4 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4
Depth
3–35 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
25.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Chilean worm eel (Scolecenchelys chilensis) 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 28.4 cm. It occurs at depths between 3 and 35 metres. With a trophic level of 4, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Scolecenchelys chilensis
Authority
McCosker, 1970
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
28.4 cm
Depth Range
3–35 m
Trophic Level
4
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
25.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Vertebrae: 148 - 152. This species of the Scolecenchelys gymnota species group is distinguished by the following set of characters: head 8.9-9.7 % TL; tail 53-56 % TL; trunk 36-38 % TL; body depth 1.9-2.2 % TL; horizontal distance between dorsal-fin origin and a vertical through mid-anus 38-60 % ; with a prominent median groove, ventral on snout; teeth on jaws and vomerine in a single row; predorsal vertebrae 66-68, preanal 62-64, and total vertebrae148-152; MVF 67-62-150 .: eel-like; Cross section: circular.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Chilean worm eel is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Chilean worm eel is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Chilean worm eel is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 3 - 35 m . Subtropical; 25°S - 35°S, 83°W - 76°W Southeast Pacific: Desventuradas Is.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
4±0.7

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00076 × L3.06 (TL)
Max TL
28.4cm
Vertebrae
150

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
25.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
4
Apex / Top predator
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
McCosker, 1970

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Muraenichthys chilensis McCosker 1970 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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