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 Saccopharynx flagellum. From plate 49 of Oceanic Ichthyology by George Brown Goode and Tarleton Hoffman Bean, published 1896.
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Saccopharynx is a genus of deep sea eel-like fishes with large mouths, distensible stomachs and long scaleless bodies. It is the only genus in the family Saccopharyngidae. The name is from Latin saccus meaning "sack" and Greek pharynx.
Like other saccopharyngiforms, fishes in this genus are known as gulpers or gulper eels.
They are generally black in color, and can grow to lengths of 2 m (6.5 feet). They have been found at depths of 1,800 m (6,000 feet). Their tails are tipped by a luminous bulb-shaped organ. The exact purpose of this organ is unknown, though it is unlikely it is used as a lure.
Species
There are eleven species:
- Saccopharynx ampullaceus (Harwood, 1827)
- Saccopharynx berteli Tighe & Nielsen, 2000
- Saccopharynx flagellum Cuvier, 1829
- Saccopharynx harrisoni Beebe, 1932
- Saccopharynx hjorti Bertin, 1938
- Saccopharynx lavenbergi Nielsen & Bertelsen, 1985
- Saccopharynx paucovertebratis Nielsen & Bertelsen, 1985
- Saccopharynx ramosus Nielsen & Bertelsen, 1985
- Saccopharynx schmidti Bertin, 1934
- Saccopharynx thalassa Nielsen & Bertelsen, 1985
- Saccopharynx trilobatus Nielsen & Bertelsen, 1985
References
- "Saccopharyngidae". FishBase. Ed. Rainer Froese and Daniel Pauly. January 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
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