SPECIES INFO
Shrimp eel (Ophichthus gomesi) has been found as far north as New England, but is more commonly found from the Carolinas south almost to Argentina. This up to 30 inch eel is mostly tail. Sometimes a few black spots show on the head.Ophichthus genus of snake eels is well represented in the warmer waters near Florida of North America. These eels have a dorsal fin that usually starts behind the collapsed pectoral fin and goes almost to the tail. These eels have sharp and dangerous teeth.
Snake and worm eels (family Ophichthidae) are long and narrow eels with almost worldwide distribution. There are about 150 species spread among about 50 different genera. The dorsal fin extends almost the entire length of the body. Although some examples can reach 3 feet or more, most are much smaller species. These eels have a rounded cross section and are without scales. Some species swim along the bottom while others bury in the sand.
Eels, Order Anguilliformes, includes mmostly marine animals with long narrow bodies. Most species have pectoral fins, but lack pelvic fins. Several species breed near Cuba and migrate to freshwater rivers worldwide to reach full size. There are about 450 species divided into about 20 different families.
Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.
Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.
Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.
Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
