Diastobranchus capensis Barnard, 1923
Basketwork eel
Diastobranchus capensis
photo by Yau, B.

Family:  Synaphobranchidae (Cutthroat eels), subfamily: Synaphobranchinae
Max. size:  180 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 183 - 2000 m
Distribution:  Circum-austral, except eastern Pacific (Ref. 26895). Distributed on the continental slope of South Africa, off Tasmania, New Zealand, Discovery Seamount and the Rio Grande Rise off South America (Ref. 5167). Also found in Argentina (Ref. 47881). First record from the far north (Spitzbergen, Svalbard Arch.) (Ref. 96237).
Diagnosis:  Dark purplish black in color (Ref. 3973). Lateral line pores before anus about 27 (Ref. 3973).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 22 November 2019 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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