Marbled swamp eel
📖 Overview
Facultative air-breathing ; Anguilliform, has no pectoral and ventral fins; its dorsal and anal fins are vestigial . Adults inhabit streams, ponds, canals, drains, rice fields, both clear and turbid water . Nocturnal . Carnivore . The male guards and builds nest or burrow . A protogynous hermaphrodite . Its being a facultative air-breather explains, at least in part, why it is often missing from faunal inventories. At the start of the dry season when there's a decline in water level, it digs a tubular burrow in a bank or on the bottom. This burrow, which is for the most part sub-horizontal , can have several diverticula, followed by a vertical section which leads to the exterior by only one opening. Although breathing is slowed down, the fish remains active and flees if it is disturbed .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Body cylindrical and long; eyes small; dorsal and anal fins vestigial .: eel-like.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Marbled swamp eel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Marbled swamp eel is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
A diandric species having both primary and secondary male developmental pathways. Length at sex change = 34.0 cm TL . Also Ref. 35344, 103751.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous . Subtropical; 22°C - 34°C Central and South America: Mexico to northern Argentina.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Marbled swamp 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 | 18.6 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 137 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Marbled swamp eel has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falconeria aptera | Larrañaga | 1923 | Synonym |
| Falconeria pinnata | Larrañaga | 1923 | Synonym |
| Symbranchus doeringii | Weyenbergh | 1877 | Synonym |
| Symbranchus doringii | Weyenbergh | 1877 | Heterotypic |
| Symbranchus hieronymi | Weyenbergh | 1877 | Synonym |
| Symbranchus marmoratus | Bloch | 1795 | Synonym |
| Symbranchus tigrinus | Weyenbergh | 1877 | Synonym |
| Synbranchus doringii | Weyenbergh | 1877 | Synonym |
| Synbranchus fuliginosus | Ranzani | 1839 | Synonym |
| Synbranchus hieronymi | Weyenbergh | 1877 | Synonym |
| Synbranchus immaculatus | Bloch | 1795 | Synonym |
| Synbranchus mercedarius | Weyenbergh | 1877 | Synonym |
| Synbranchus pardalis | Valenciennes | 1836 | Synonym |
| Synbranchus tigrinus | Weyenbergh | 1877 | Synonym |
| Synbranchus vittatus | Castelnau | 1855 | Synonym |
| Unibranchapertura lineata | Lacepède | 1803 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 163 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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