Species: Nettastoma melanura, Blackfin Pikeconger, Blackfin Sorcerer, Blackfin Pikeconger Eel

Nettastoma melanura Rafinesque, 1810

Blackfin Pikeconger, Blackfin Sorcerer, Blackfin Pikeconger Eel

Elongate, cylindrical at front, compressed at rear, with a long slender, pointed tail; head and body 33-40% of TL; a long narrow snout (no fleshy proboscis at its tip); jaws long and pointed, reach back under rear edge of eye; large eye; front nostril tubular, at front of snout, rear nostril opens above front edge of eye; top jaw overhanging; teeth conical, relatively small, in bands, a patch of teeth at front of top jaws, some exposed when mouth is closed; roof of mouth with central patch of teeth on which central teeth are enlarged; no pectoral fins; dorsal fin origin over or behind gill opening; dorsal and anal fins confluent with tail fin; lateral line complete, on head and body; 44-49 pores before anus; 2 pairs of pores on snout between front nostril and eye.

Silvery, edges of median fins black.

Reaches 78 cm.

Lives on soft silt and mud bottoms.

Depth range: 37-1647 m, usually below 300 m.

Florida to French Guiana; also the E Atlantic.