Species: Callechelys galapagensis, Galapagos ridgefin eel

Callechelys galapagensis McCosker & Rosenblatt, 1972

Galapagos ridgefin eel

Moderately elongate; head and body compressed, 55-58 % of TL; body relatively deep 36-59% 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.

Cream to brown, with numerous oblong dark spots of varying sizes on head and body, most dense on head, extending onto dorsal and anal fins.

Size: 82 cm.

Habitat: sand, rock and coral bottom.

Depth: 0-10 m.

The Galapagos.