Genus: Letharchus, Sailfin Eels
snout very pointed
front nostril a hole
front nostril a hole
D origin on head
tail: < 1/2 TL, tip = hard finless point
pectorals absent
gill opening ventral, close
gill opening ventral, close
A: absent
LETHARCHUS
SAILFIN EELS
Elongate, compressed; tail 36-42% of TL; snout sharply pointed, overhanging, without groove on underside; eye small; front nostril a flat hole; rear nostril opens in mouth; gill openings entirely on underside, converging forward; gill chamber puffed out; teeth slender, pointed, single series on jaws and on roof of mouth, 2 rows at front between top jaws; tail with a hard, finless point; dorsal fin origin on nape; no anal or pectoral fins; lateral line complete, lines of each side of head connected by 2 canals with across top of head.
This neotropical genus contains 3 species; one species is endemic to the tropical eastern Pacific.
