Carapus bermudensis (Jones, 1874)
Pearlfish
Carapus bermudensis
photo by Flescher, D.

Family:  Carapidae (Pearlfishes), subfamily: Carapinae
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 235 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Bermuda and southern Florida, USA to the West Indies and Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Eel-like, moderate to shallow body depth; cardiform teeth present but restricted to upper jaw symphysis; swim bladder constricted forming two chambers; lacking enlarged dentary or premaxillary fangs, dentary diastema, pelvic fins and swim bladder rockerbone (Ref. 34024). Anal fin rays longer than dorsal fin rays (Ref. 26938).
Biology:  Common species (Ref. 34024). Occurs in or near shallow seagrass beds. Lives in body cavity of sea cucumbers during daytime and leaves host at night. Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 34024.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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