Anguilla bicolor
Scientific Name:-
Anguilla bicolorCommon Name:-
Indonesian Shortfin Eel
Malayalam Name:-
Ka?utta Maliññil
Category:-
Fishes
Status:-
Near Threatened in IUCN Red List
Description:-
Body elongate, cylindrical anteriorly, somewhat compressed along tail. Head conical, flattened dorsally; anterior nostril a narrow tube on face of snout; upper and lower lips prominent; lower jaw longer than upper, projecting ; angle of mouth a little behind rear margin of eye ; eye relatively small; teeth small, inconspicuous, multiserial, forming broad continuous bands on jaws and vomer (roof of mouth), the vomerine band extending more or less as far back as the the bands of the upper jaw but more pointed posteriorly; the upper teeth especially form an extensive toothed area on roof of mouth. Dorsal origin above anus or very nearly so; pectoral fins present. Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 240-245; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 200 – 220. Olive to dark bluish-brown dorsally, lighter ventrally from jaw to anus. Dorsal body color uniform.
Threats:-
Not recorded, but population decline in many rivers due to over exploitation and probably construction of dams. Indian subspecies is Anguilla bicolor bicolor.
Remark:-
Common in the rivers of Kerala.
Habitat:-
Inhabits freshwater streams and rivers. Lives in fresh water areas as an adult, in estuaries and seas as young. Catadromous. Descends to the sea to spawn.
Synonyms:-
Anguilla arracana McClelland, 1844
Anguilla brevirostris McClellan, 1844
Anguilla elphinstonei Sykes, 1839
Anguilla nebulosa McClelland, 1844
Anguilla variegata McClelland, 1844
Muraena bengalensis Gray, 1831
Muraena labiata Peters, 1852
Muraena macrophthalmos Peters, 1852
References:-
Biju Kumar, A., Sirajudheen, T.K., Rajesh, L. and Tresa Radhakrishnan (2010). Marine Fish and Fisheries of Kerala - Heritage, Diversity and Conservation Paradigms. In: (Leonard Sonnenschein and Allen Benziger, eds.) Conservation of Fishes in Kerala, India. World Aquarium, St. Louis, USA. 32-102.
Jacoby, D., Harrison, I.J. & Gollock, M. 2014. Anguilla bengalensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 06 May 2015