Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body narrow, elongate, eel-like, cylindrical; color tan with small brown spots, spots larger in smaller eels, pepper-like in adults; snout narrow, V-shaped from above, but with rounded tip; skull flattened in large individuals; mouth large, upper jaw extends slightly past lower jaw; no barbels on lips; teeth canine-like (conical), in 1-2 rows; 2 rows teeth on vomerine (roof of mouth); eye small, anterior to middle of upper jaw, sometimes appears to lack eyes; pectoral fin present; dorsal fin starts well behind pectoral fin; tail fleshy, no rays; anterior nostril tubular; posterior nostril on upper lip. |
Similar Species |
This eel is distinguished by its spotted body, its V-shaped head, short snout (from anterior eye to tip of jaw), its fleshy tail, and the presence of a pectoral fin. |
Habitat |
Gulf, sometimes in the bay, abundant off jetties in the fall |
Maximum Size |
180 cm (6 ft), common to 100 cm (3 1/5 ft) |
Fin Element Counts |
unknown (explain) |
Other Common Names |
stippled spoon-nose eel |
Previous Scientific Names |
E. mordax |
Comments |
|
State size/bag limits |
None; Check for state record. |