Deepwater big-eyed worm eel | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Anguilliformes |
Family: | Ophichthidae |
Genus: | Scolecenchelys |
Species: | S. castlei
|
Binomial name | |
Scolecenchelys castlei McCosker, 2006
|
The deepwater big-eyed worm eel [1] (Scolecenchelys castlei) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels). [2] It was described by John E. McCosker in 2006. [3] It is a subtropical, marine eel which is known from New Zealand, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It dwells at a depth range of 425–820 metres. Females can reach a maximum total length of 58 centimetres. [2]
The species epithet "castlei" was given in honour of Peter Henry John Castle. [2]