Genus: Hyphalophis, Flabby Snake Eel, Snake Eels
elongate (depth 3% TL)
tail 60% TL, tip hard & finless
eye over mid-mouth
tail 60% TL, tip hard & finless
eye over mid-mouth
D origin well behind pectorals
LL strongly arched on head
mouth terminal
teeth minute, conical, top jaw - 4 rows
teeth minute, conical, top jaw - 4 rows
pectorals large, narrow base
HYPHALOPHIS
SNAKE EELS
Body elongate (depth 3% of TL), cylindrical, compressed at rear; skin loose and flabby; tail 60% of TL; snout bluntly rounded; eye well developed, over center of mouth; front nostril a tube, rear nostril at edge of lip, covered by a flap; mouth opens at front; lips without barbels; teeth minute, conical, 4 rows on top jaw, 1 row on vomer and lower jaw; gill openings a crescent; dorsal fin origin well behind pectorals; pectorals well developed, base restricted to opposite top half of gill opening; tip of tail a finless point; lateral line strongly arched at rear of head, those on each side abutting but not joined across top.
A Greater Caribbean genus with one species.
