Genus: Chlopsis, False-Moray Eel
rear nostril in top lip
D origin ~ over gill opening
median fins well developed, confluent
center roof of mouth - 2 rows teeth
pectorals absent
LL 1-2 pores above gill opening
CHLOPSIS
FALSE-MORAY EEL
Elongate, slightly compressed; large eyes; snout bluntly pointed; front nostril tubular, points downward; rear nostril opens in top lip under eye; mouth moderately large, extends behind eye; no flange on either lip; jaw teeth small, in 2-3 rows; 2 series of teeth on center of roof of mouth; gill opening small, oval, lateral; pectoral fins absent; dorsal and anal fins well developed, continuous with tail fin, dorsal origin ~ over gill opening; lateral line reduced to1-2 pores on rear of head and 5-6 along lower jaw.
A tropical to warm temperate genus with about 9 species; occurs on both sides of the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the western Indian Ocean, as well as our region, in which there are 3 endemics.
