Family CHLOPSIDAE

Chlopsidae

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Introduction

Worldwide, eight genera and at least 22 species are currently recognised for the Chlopsidae (Nelson et al 2016; Eschmeyer et al. 2018). Two genera and four species are known from Australian waters.

False morays occur in shallow tropical waters (one deepsea species) of all oceans. They are similar to morays in lacking scales and lateral line pores on the body, but differ in having the posterior nostril low on the head, usually in the upper lip. Maximum size is about 44 cm.

The false morays or reef eels were reviewed by Böhlke (1956) and Böhlke & Smith (1968). Smith (1999) provided a key to genera from the Western Central Pacific region. Tighe (1989) presented reasons for recognising the name Chlopsidae in preference to the commonly used Xenocongridae for this family. Nelson et al (2016) placed the family in a separate suborder Chlopsoidei.

General References

Böhlke, J.E. 1956. A synopsis of the eels of the family Xenocongridae (including the Chlopsidae and Chilorhinidae). Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia 108: 61-95 figs 1-8 pl. 1

Böhlke, J.E. & Smith, D.G. 1968. A new xenocongrid eel from the Bahamas, with notes on other species in the family. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia 120(2): 25-43 figs 1-3

Castle, P.H.J. 1984. Notacanthiformes and Anguilliformes: development. pp. 62-93 figs 29-43 in Moser, H.G. et al. (eds). Ontogeny and Systematics of Fishes. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Special Publication 1: 1-760

Eschmeyer, W.N., Fricke, R. & van der Laan, R. (eds) 31 May 2018. Catalog of Fishes: Genera, Species, References. California Academy of Sciences. Electronic version accessed 01 Jun 2018. http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp

Nelson, J.S., Grande, T.C. & Wilson, M.V.H. 2016. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons 5, 752 pp.

Smith, D.G. 1999. Families Halosauridae, Notacanthidae, Lipogenyidae, Anguillidae, Moringuidae, Chlopsidae, Myrocongridae. pp. 1625-1642 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068.

Tighe, K.A. 1989. Serrivomeridae. pp. 613-627 in Böhlke, E.B. (ed.). Fishes of the Western North Atlantic. Orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes. New Haven : The Sears Foundation of Marine Research, Yale University Pt 9 Vol. 1 655 pp.

Common Name References

Smith, D.G. 1999. Families Halosauridae, Notacanthidae, Lipogenyidae, Anguillidae, Moringuidae, Chlopsidae, Myrocongridae. pp. 1625-1642 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [1639] (FAO) (False Morays)

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