Species: Carapus bermudensis, Pearlfish, Bermuda Pearlfish

Carapus bermudensis (Jones, 1874)

Pearlfish, Bermuda Pearlfish

Slender, short, cylindrical to compressed body, long slender tail; no small fleshy flaps on tip of snout; top jaw bone not bound to side of head by skin; no large curved fangs at front of jaws; top jaws with multiple rows of small conical teeth, with an outer row of 6-10 small, slender teeth at front side; lower jaw with outer row of sharp, conical teeth, multiple inner rows of short, blunt teeth; teeth on sides of roof of mouth short, blunt, conical; center of roof of mouth with central row of 5-9 large, stout teeth, and 1 row of short blunt teeth on each side; gill opening extends above mid-side, gill membranes not united below; gill rakers well developed, (except in a non Atlantic species); dorsal origin well behind origin of anal; anal fin rays longer than dorsal fin rays opposite them; well developed pectoral fin; no pelvic fins; anus and origin of anal fin before base of pectoral fin; dorsal and anal fins confluent with tail fin.

Translucent, body cavity with silver lining; dark star-shaped blotches on head and along body.

Reaches 20 cm.

Lives in the body cavities of holothurians (sea cucumbers).

Depth range: 0-235 m.

Bermuda to Brazil.