Saccopharynx ampullaceus (Harwood, 1827)
Gulper eel
Saccopharynx ampullaceus
photo by Armesto, A.

Family:  Saccopharyngidae (Swallowers)
Max. size:  161 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 3000 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: scattered records from Greenland to Cape Verde. Also known from Western Atlantic.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Bathypelagic (Ref. 58426). Feeds on fishes. Oviparous, reduction of jaws and complete loss of teeth in sexually mature specimens of both sexes. Mature males with greatly enlarged olfactory organs (Ref. 6718). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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