Venefica tentaculata explained

Venefica tentaculata is an eel in the family Nettastomatidae (duckbill/witch eels). It was described by Samuel Garman in 1899.^[1] It is a marine, subtropical eel which is known from the eastern central and northwestern Pacific Ocean, including Mexico, Nicaragua, Japan, and the United States. It dwells at a depth range of 100mto500mm (300feetto1,600feetm), but may dive even deeper. Males can reach a maximum total length of 90cm (40inches).

Due to the relatively wide distribution of this species, and the estimated unlikelihood of major threats, due to its deep water habitat, the IUCN redlist currently lists V. tentaculata as Least Concern.

Notes and References

1. Garman, S., 1899 (Dec.) [ref. 1540] The Fishes. In: Reports on an exploration off the west coasts of Mexico, Central and South America, and off the Galapagos Islands ... by the U. S. Fish Commission steamer "Albatross," during 1891 ... No. XXVI. Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoology v. 24: Text: 1-431, Atlas: Pls. 1-85 + A-M.