Species: Callechelys eristigma, Spotted ridgefin eel

Callechelys eristigma McCosker & Rosenblatt, 1972

Spotted ridgefin eel

Moderately elongate; head and body compressed, 69-73 % of TL; body relatively slender < 30% of head length; head short, snout strongly pointed, a median groove on its underside extends to before nostrils, slightly overhanging mouth; anterior nostril tubular, rear nostril in lower 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 from head almost to tip of tail.

Head and body cream, with numerous dark spots of varying sizes on head and body, and extending onto dorsal fin; dorsal fin with row of dark spots along its margin.

Size: 113 cm.

Habitat: sand and rocky bottom.

Depth: 5-25 m.

SW Gulf of California; W Panama; Cocos Is.