Cyema atrum Günther, 1878
Bobtail eel
Cyema atrum
photo by SFSA

Family:  Cyematidae (Snipe eels)
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 330 - 5100 m
Distribution:  Circumglobal in all oceans. Eastern Atlantic: Gibraltar to the Azores and Madeira; South Africa (Ref. 6593). Eastern Indian Ocean: Australia (Ref. 7300). Southwest Pacific: New Zealand (Ref. 5755). Eastern Pacific: Oregon, USA to Panama (Ref. 35598), and Chile (Ref. 9068).
Diagnosis:  Black in color (Ref. 6593).
Biology:  Meso- and bathypelagic (Ref. 58302). Found in midwater, usually greater than 610 m (Ref. 35598). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and leptocephali (Ref. 35598). Relatively rare (Ref. 35598).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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