Candystripe Worm Eel [Aplatophis chauliodus]
Description
The Candystripe Worm Eel, or Aplatophis chauliodus, is a species of eel in the family Ophichthidae. It is found in tropical waters in the Atlantic Ocean, from North Carolina in the United States to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. This nocturnal eel prefers a depth range from 10 to 90 meters and inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms, where it burrows during the day. It has a slender, elongated body that can reach a length up to 91 cm, and is notable for its bright, contrasting stripes.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Fish
Actinopterygii
|
| Order |
Eels and Morays
Anguilliformes
|
| Family |
Duckbill Eels
Nettastomatidae
|
| Genus |
Deepsea Duckbill Eels
Nettastoma
|