Species: Hoplunnis diomediana, Blacktail Pikeconger, Blacktail Pikeconger Eel

Hoplunnis diomediana Goode & Bean, 1896

Blacktail Pikeconger, Blacktail Pikeconger Eel

Elongate, cylindrical at front, compressed at rear; head and body 23-25% of TL: long slender tail; large eye; front nostril tubular, at front of snout, rear nostril a slit in front of center of eye; long narrow snout without a soft tip; jaws long and pointed, with top jaw overhanging; jaw teeth of varying sizes, exposed when mouth is closed; 3 rows of teeth along sides of both top and bottom jaws inner row enlarged on lower jaw; a semicircle of 6-7 large, outward directed teeth at front of top jaws; roof of mouth with center row of 6-8 large teeth and a few scattered small teeth along the front of each side; pectoral fins present; dorsal fin origin in front of or behind gill opening; dorsal and anal fins confluent with tail fin; lateral line complete on head and body, 33-38 pores before anus.

Silver, with scattered small dark spots above the lateral line; stomach black, intestine pale; vertical fins edged in black at rear; inside gill chamber black.

Reaches 54.3 cm.

Lives on soft bottoms.

Depth range: 33-453 m.

SE USA to the Gulf of Mexico and to Colombia