Genus: Callechelys, Ridgefin Eel, Ridgefin Eels

CALLECHELYS

RIDGEFIN EELS

Moderately elongate; head and body compressed, 55-72% of TL; head short, snout strongly pointed, a median groove on its underside extends to before nostrils, slightly overhanging mouth; anterior nostril tubular, rear nostril in top lip under eye, opens outside when mouth is closed, covered by a flap; teeth small, pointed, in 1 row on jaws, present between top jaws and on roof of mouth; gill openings low on side, converging forwards; gill chamber an expanded pouch; tip of tail a hard finless point; pectorals absent; dorsal and anal fins present; dorsal high, begins on head at or just behind eye, and ends a little before tail tip; lateral line complete, lines of each side of head connected by 2 canals with across top of head.

A circumtropical to subtropical genus with 14 species; in our region there are 4 species, 1 endemic, 2 west Atlantic and one Atlantic.