The Sailfin eel (Paraletharchus pacificus, also known commonly as the Pacific sailfin eel in Mexico[2]) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).[3] It was described by Raymond Carroll Osburn and John Treadwell Nichols in 1916, originally under the genus Letharchus.[4] It is a marine, tropical eel which is known from the eastern central Pacific Ocean (from which its species epithet is derived), including Costa Rica, Mexico, and Panama.[5] It is known to dwell at a depth of 35 metres (115 ft), and inhabits rock and sand sediments. Males can reach a maximum total length of 81 centimetres (32 in).[3]
| Sailfin eel | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Ophichthidae |
| Genus: | Paraletharchus |
| Species: | P. pacificus
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| Binomial name | |
| Paraletharchus pacificus (Osburn & Nichols, 1916)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Due to its wide distribution, lack of known threats, and lack of observed population decline, the IUCN redlist currently lists the Sailfin eel as Least Concern.[5]
References edit
- ^ Synonyms of Paraletharchus pacificus at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Common names of Paraletharchus pacificus at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ a b Paraletharchus pacificus at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Osburn, R. C. and J. T. Nichols, 1916 (26 May) [ref. 15062] Shore fishes collected by the "Albatross" expedition in Lower California, with descriptions of new species. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History v. 35 (art. 16): 139-181.
- ^ a b Paraletharchus pacificus at the IUCN redlist.
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