Marbled Eel

Body cylindrical and long; eyes small; dorsal and anal fins vestigial (Ref. 26543).

Eustrongylides Infestation 2 (Larvae). Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Pterygifer Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

A diandric species having both primary and secondary male developmental pathways. Length at sex change = 34.0 cm TL (Ref. 55367). Also Ref. 35344, 103751.

Potamodromous. Migrating within streams, migratory in rivers, e.g. Saliminus, Moxostoma, Labeo. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Recorded from streams, ponds, canals, drains, rice fields, both clear and turbid water (Ref. 11225).

Anguilliform, has no pectoral and ventral fins; its dorsal and anal fins are vestigial (Ref. 27188). Adults inhabit streams, ponds, canals, drains, rice fields, both clear and turbid water (Ref. 11225). Nocturnal (Ref. 11225). Carnivore (Ref. 26543). The male guards and builds nest or burrow (Ref. 205). A protogynous hermaphrodite (Ref. 55367). Its being a facultative air-breather (Ref. 1468) explains, at least in part, why it is often missing from faunal inventories. At the start of the dry season when there's a decline in water level, it digs a tubular burrow in a bank or on the bottom. This burrow, which is for the most part sub-horizontal , can have several diverticula, followed by a vertical section which leads to the exterior by only one opening. Although breathing is slowed down, the fish remains active and flees if it is disturbed (Ref. 27188).

fisheries: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums