Introduction

The Nettastomatidae comprise six genera and approximately 42-46 species worldwide (Nelson et al. 2016; Fricke et al. 2018). The Australian fauna includes seven described species in four genera. An additional species tentatively identified as Venefica multiporosa may occur off the coast of WA however this requires confirmation.

Duckbill eels inhabit the outer continental shelf and slope of tropical, warm temperate regions of all three oceans. Maximum length is at least 36 cm.

The Nettastomatidae were reviewed by Smith & Castle (1982) based on larval characters. Smith et al. (1981) revised the genera Nettastoma and Nettenchelys, and Smith (1999) provided a key to the genera. P.H.J. Castle identified the Australian Museum specimens and gave advice for the previous family account. Smith (2008) treated species found off the southern coast.

General References

Fricke, R., Eschmeyer, W.N. & Fong, J.D. 4 September 2018. Species of Fishes by Family/Subfamily. Catalog of Fishes: Species by Family/Subfamily. Electronic version accessed 1 Oct 2018. http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/SpeciesByFamily.asp

Smith, D.G. 1989. Family Nettastomatidae. pp. 568-612 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.

Smith, D.G. 1999. Families Colocongridae, Derichthyidae, Muraenesocidae, Nemichtyhyidae, Congridae, Nettastomatidae, Serrivomeridae, Cyematidae, Saccopharyngidae, Eurypharyngidae, Monognathidae. pp. 1670-1697 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.

Smith, D.G. 2008. Family Nettastomatidae. 180 in Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Smith, D.G., Böhlke, J.E. & Castle, P.H.J. 1981. A revision of the nettastomatid eel genera Nettastoma and Nettenchelys (Pisces : Anguilliformes) with descriptions of six new species. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 94(2): 535-560 figs 1-12

Smith, D.G. & Castle, P.H.J. 1982. Larvae of the nettastomatid eels : systematics and distribution. Dana Reports 90: 1-44 figs 1-33

Whitley, G.P. 1938. Studies in Ichthyology No. 11. Records of the Australian Museum 20(3): 195-199 fig. 1 pl. 21

Common Name References

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [58] (Duckbill Eels)

Smith, D.G. 1999. Families Colocongridae, Derichthyidae, Muraenesocidae, Nemichtyhyidae, Congridae, Nettastomatidae, Serrivomeridae, Cyematidae, Saccopharyngidae, Eurypharyngidae, Monognathidae. pp. 1670-1697 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. [1688] (FAO) (Duckbill Eels)

History of changes

• Nettastoma Rafinesque, C.S. 1810. Caratteri di alcuni Nouvi Generi e Nouve Specie di Animali e Piante della Sicilia con varie Osservazioni sopra i Medesimi. Sanfilippo, Palermo. 105, pl. 1-20 [66].

  Type species:

   Nettastoma melanura Rafinesque, 1810 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Atlantic Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Northwest Transition (3), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6)

Other Regions

Coral Sea Islands Territory

General References

Castle, P.H.J. 1994. Families Synaphobranchidae, Nettastomatidae, Ophichthidae. pp. 195-203 figs 172-179 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs. [197]

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Nettastomatidae. pp. 298-300 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [180]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [113]

Smith, D.G., Böhlke, J.E. & Castle, P.H.J. 1981. A revision of the nettastomatid eel genera Nettastoma and Nettenchelys (Pisces : Anguilliformes) with descriptions of six new species. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 94(2): 535-560 figs 1-12

Smith, D.G. & Castle, P.H.J. 1982. Larvae of the nettastomatid eels : systematics and distribution. Dana Reports 90: 1-44 figs 1-33 [7]

Smith, M.M. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds) 1986. Smith's Sea Fishes. Johannesburg : Macmillan South Africa xx + 1047 pp. 144 pls. [191]

History of changes

• Nettastoma melanura Rafinesque, C.S. 1810. Caratteri di alcuni Nouvi Generi e Nouve Specie di Animali e Piante della Sicilia con varie Osservazioni sopra i Medesimi. Sanfilippo, Palermo. 105, pl. 1-20 [66, pl.16 (fig.1)].

  Type data:

   Holotype whereabouts unknown, Sicily, Mediterranean.

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Nettastoma melanurum Rafinesque, 1810 [treated species name as an adjective, but used as a noun by Rafinesque]. —
  Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Nettastomatidae. pp. 298-300 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [299]

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

West of Rottnest Island (32º00'S, 115º11'E) to NW of Carnarvon (23º44'S 112º36'E), WA; tropical, Atlantic, West Pacific.

IMCRA

Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Continental slope, mesopelagic.

Extra Ecological Information

555-612 m

General References

Fricke, R., Kulbicki, M. & Wantiez, L. 2011. Checklist of the fishes of New Caledonia, and their distribution in the Southwest Pacific Ocean (Pisces). Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde. Serie A (Biologie) Neue Serie 4: 341-463 [354]

Hutchins, J.B. 2001. Checklist of the fishes of Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 63: 9-50 [17]

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Nettastomatidae. pp. 298-300 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [299]

Smith, D.G., Böhlke, J.E. & Castle, P.H.J. 1981. A revision of the nettastomatid eel genera Nettastoma and Nettenchelys (Pisces : Anguilliformes) with descriptions of six new species. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 94(2): 535-560 figs 1-12 [543]

Common Name References

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Blackfin Sorcerer)

Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Standard names of Australian fishes. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper 9: 1-64 [19] (Blackfin Sorcerer)

History of changes

• Nettastoma parviceps Günther, A. 1877. Preliminary notes on new fishes collected in Japan during the expedition of H.M.S. Challenger. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 4 20(56): 433-446 [446].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1879.5.14.440, South of Tokyo, Japan, 345 fathoms.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Northeast of Cairns, QLD (16°40'S, 146°16'E) to the Cascade Plateau, southeast of TAS (43°56´S, 150°31'E), also Lord Howe Rise, Tasman Sea (32°42'S, 162°34'E); temperate, Indo-west-central Pacific.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Northeast Transition (19)

Other Regions

Coral Sea Islands Territory

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, continental slope.

Extra Ecological Information

75–1100 m

General References

Castle, P.H.J. 1994. Families Synaphobranchidae, Nettastomatidae, Ophichthidae. pp. 195-203 figs 172-179 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs. [198]

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Nettastomatidae. pp. 298-300 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [299]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [113]

Smith, D.G. 2008. Family Nettastomatidae. 180 in Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp. [180]

Smith, D.G., Böhlke, J.E. & Castle, P.H.J. 1981. A revision of the nettastomatid eel genera Nettastoma and Nettenchelys (Pisces : Anguilliformes) with descriptions of six new species. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 94(2): 535-560 figs 1-12

Smith, M.M. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds) 1986. Smith's Sea Fishes. Johannesburg : Macmillan South Africa xx + 1047 pp. 144 pls. [191]

Common Name References

Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs. [198] (Duckbill Eel, Shortsnouted Sorcerer)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Smallhead Duckbill Eel)

Smith, D.G. & Stewart, A.L. 2015. Families Derichthyidae, Nemichthyidae, Congridae, Nettastomatidae, Serrivomeridae. pp. 259-290 in Roberts, C.D., Stewart, A.L. & Struthers, C.D. The Fishes of New Zealand. Wellington : Te Papa Press Vol. 2 pp. 1-576. [286] (White Duckbill Eel)

Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Standard names of Australian fishes. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper 9: 1-64 [19] (Smallhead Duckbill Eel)

History of changes

• Nettastoma solitarium Castle, P. & Smith, D. in Smith, D.G., Böhlke, J.E. & Castle, P.H.J. 1981. A revision of the nettastomatid eel genera Nettastoma and Nettenchelys (Pisces : Anguilliformes) with descriptions of six new species. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 94(2): 535-560 figs 1-12 [548, figs 2-7].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHP 1979–0187, west of Cabra Island, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines, 415-510m [13°49.2'N, 120°01.8'E to 13°48.2'N, 120°02.5'E].
  Paratype(s) AM I.20319-012, Australia, New South Wales, off Coffs Harbour, 265-275 m [30°20’S 153°26’E]; MNHP 1979-0188; MNHP 1979-0189.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Northwest Shelf NW of Port Hedland (18°40'S, 116°42'E) to S of Scott Reef (14°39'S, 121°29'E) WA, and off Mooloolaba (26°39'S) QLD, to east of Coffs Harbour (30°21'S, 153°24'E), NSW; tropical, Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Province (12), Timor Province (2), Northwest Transition (3)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, continental slope.

Extra Ecological Information

53-500 m

General References

Karmovskaya, E.S. 2004. Benthopelagic bathyal conger eels of families Congridae and Nettastomatidae from the western tropical Pacific, with descriptions of ten new species. Journal of Ichthyology 44(Suppl. 1): 1-32 [S28]

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Nettastomatidae. pp. 298-300 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [299]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [113]

Smith, D.G. 1999. Families Colocongridae, Derichthyidae, Muraenesocidae, Nemichtyhyidae, Congridae, Nettastomatidae, Serrivomeridae, Cyematidae, Saccopharyngidae, Eurypharyngidae, Monognathidae. pp. 1670-1697 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. [1690]

Common Name References

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Solitary Duckbill Eel)

Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Standard names of Australian fishes. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper 9: 1-64 [20] (Solitary Duckbill Eel)

History of changes

• Nettenchelys Alcock, A.W. 1898. Natural history notes from H.M. Indian Marine Survey Ship Investigator, Commander T.H. Heming, R.N., commanding. Series 2(25). A note on the deep-sea fishes with descriptions of some new genera and species including another probably viviparous ophidioid. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 7 2(22): 136-155 [149].

  Type species:

   Nettenchelys taylori Alcock, 1898 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Atlantic Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19)

Other Regions

Coral Sea Islands Territory

General References

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Nettastomatidae. pp. 298-300 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [299]

Smith, D.G. & Castle, P.H.J. 1982. Larvae of the nettastomatid eels : systematics and distribution. Dana Reports 90: 1-44 figs 1-33 [12]

History of changes

• Nettenchelys gephyra Castle, P. & Smith, D. in Smith, D.G., Böhlke, J.E. & Castle, P.H.J. 1981. A revision of the nettastomatid eel genera Nettastoma and Nettenchelys (Pisces : Anguilliformes) with descriptions of six new species. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 94(2): 535-560 figs 1-12 [553, figs. 8B, 11].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHP 1979-0150, Bulari Pass, New Caledonia, 400m.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

East of Dunk Island (18°01'S, 147°07'E) to NE of Heron Island (22°57'S, 152°59'E), QLD; tropical, west Pacific.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19)

Other Regions

Coral Sea Islands Territory

Ecological Descriptors

Continental slope.

Extra Ecological Information

208-350 m

General References

Fricke, R., Kulbicki, M. & Wantiez, L. 2011. Checklist of the fishes of New Caledonia, and their distribution in the Southwest Pacific Ocean (Pisces). Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde. Serie A (Biologie) Neue Serie 4: 341-463 [354]

Karmovskaya, E.S. 1999. Nettenchelys paxtoni sp. nova (Nettastomatidae, Anguilliformes): a new species from the southwestern Pacific Ocean (Vanuatu). Journal of Ichthyology 39(9): 795-798 [835]

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Nettastomatidae. pp. 298-300 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [299]

Smith, D.G. 1999. Families Colocongridae, Derichthyidae, Muraenesocidae, Nemichtyhyidae, Congridae, Nettastomatidae, Serrivomeridae, Cyematidae, Saccopharyngidae, Eurypharyngidae, Monognathidae. pp. 1670-1697 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. [1690]

Common Name References

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Bridge Duckbill Eel)

Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Standard names of Australian fishes. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper 9: 1-64 [19] (Bridge Duckbill Eel)

History of changes

• Saurenchelys Peters, W.C.H. 1864. Über einige neue Säugethiere, Amphibien und Fische. Monatsberichte der Königlichen Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1864: 381-399 [397].

  Type species:

   Saurenchelys cancrivora Peters, 1864 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Circumglobal.

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Central Eastern Transition (15), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Province (6)

Other Regions

Coral Sea Islands Territory

General References

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Nettastomatidae. pp. 298-300 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [299]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [114]

Smith, D.G. & Castle, P.H.J. 1982. Larvae of the nettastomatid eels : systematics and distribution. Dana Reports 90: 1-44 figs 1-33 [19]

History of changes

• Chlopsis (Dietrichthys) finitimus Whitley, G.P. 1935. Studies in Ichthyology No. 9. Records of the Australian Museum 19(4): 215-250 figs 1-11 pl. 18 [220, figs 3, 3a] [derivation apparently from the Latin noun finitimus = neighbors; Whitley used the masculine ending with the feminine genus Chlopsis, indicating a noun rather than the Latin adjective].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM IA.924, Whitsunday Passage, QLD.

Generic Combinations

• Saurenchelys finitimus (Whitley, 1935). —
  Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [36] (357, changed combination cited)

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Saurenchelys finitima Whitley, 1935 [treated as an adjective]. —
  Lin, J., Smith, D.G., Shao, K.-T. & Chen, H.-M. 2015. Saurenchelys gigas sp. nov., a new nettastomatid eel (Teleostei, Anguilliformes, Nettastomatidae) from the western central Pacific. Zootaxa 4060(1): 121-130 [121]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Shark Bay (25°30'S, 113°30'E) to the North West Shelf (19°14'S, 118°22'E), WA, and north of Groote Eylandt, NT (13°22'S, 137°01'E) to off Newcastle, NSW (32°52'S, 152°00'E); tropical.

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Central Eastern Transition (15), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Province (6)

Other Regions

Coral Sea Islands Territory

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf.

Extra Ecological Information

45-140 m

General References

Johnson, J.W. 1999. Annotated checklist of the fishes of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 43(2): 709-762 [720]

Munro, I.S.R. 1961. Handbook of Australian fishes. Nos 1–42. Australian Fisheries Newsletter 15–17, 19, 20: 1-172 [published as separates 1956–1961] [44] (314, as Chlopsis finitimus)

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Nettastomatidae. pp. 298-300 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [300]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [114]

Smith, D.G. 1989. Family Nettastomatidae. pp. 568-612 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. [592]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [36] (357)

Common Name References

Munro, I.S.R. 1961. Handbook of Australian fishes. Nos 1–42. Australian Fisheries Newsletter 15–17, 19, 20: 1-172 [published as separates 1956–1961] [44] (Wire Eel)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Whitsunday Wire Eel)

Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Standard names of Australian fishes. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper 9: 1-64 [19] (Whitsunday Wire Eel)

History of changes

• Leptocephalus stylurus Lea, E. 1913. Muraenoid larvae from the Michael Sars North Atlantic Deep-Sea Expedition 1910. Report on the Scientific Results of the Michael Sars North Atlantic Deep Sea Expedition 3(1): 1-59 figs 1-36 pls 1-6 [36, figs 28-31, pl.5 (fig.3)].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) ZMUB 2503 (3), Central North Atlantic, 150m [26°03'N, 15°00'W]; ZMUB 5102 (3), Central North Atlantic, 150m [26°03'N, 15°00'W].

Generic Combinations

• Saurenchelys stylura (Lea, 1913). —
  Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [114] (changed combination cited)

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

Recorded from off Geraldton (28°49'S, 113°35'E), WA, and possibly off NSW, (as leptocephali); tropical, Atlantic Indo-west-central Pacific.

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Central Western Province (6)

Ecological Descriptors

Bathypelagic, mesopelagic, oceanic, pelagic.

Extra Ecological Information

50-5000 m

General References

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Nettastomatidae. pp. 298-300 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [300]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [114]

Smith, D.G. 1989. Family Nettastomatidae. pp. 568-612 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. [719]

Smith, D.G. & Castle, P.H.J. 1982. Larvae of the nettastomatid eels : systematics and distribution. Dana Reports 90: 1-44 figs 1-33

Common Name References

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Pillar Wire Eel)

Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Standard names of Australian fishes. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper 9: 1-64 [19] (Pillar Wire Eel)

History of changes

• Venefica Jordan, D.S. & Davis, B.M. 1891. A preliminary review of the apodal fishes or eels inhabiting the waters of America and Europe. Report of the United States Commission on Fish and Fisheries 16: 581-677 pls 73-80 [1888] [651].

  Type species:

   Nettastoma procerum Goode & Bean, 1893 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Circumglobal

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Cape Province (20), Southern Province (8)

General References

Smith, D.G. 1989. Family Nettastomatidae. pp. 568-612 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. [610]

History of changes

• Nettastoma proboscideum Vaillant, L.L. 1888. Expéditions Scientifiques du Travailleur et du Talisman pendant les années 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883. Paris : G. Masson 406 pp. 28 pls. [84, pl. 7 (fig. 3)].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHP 1884-1069, Off Coast of Morocco [30°08'N, 11°42'W,].

Generic Combinations

• Venefica proboscidea (Vaillant, 1888). —
  Castlem, P.H.J. 1986. Families Xenocongridae, Moringidae, Muraenesocidae, Synaphobranchidae, Nettastomatidae, Serrivomeridae, Cyemidae and Nemichthyidae. pp. 186-194 in Smith, M.M. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Smith's Sea Fishes. Johannesburg : Macmillan South Africa xx + 1047 pp. 144 pls. [191] (changed combination cited)

Distribution

States

Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Coral Sea, east of LIzard Island, QLD, SA and off TAS; tropical, temperate, circumglobal

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Cape Province (20), Southern Province (8)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental slope.

Common Name References

FAO-FIES 2017. Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Information System (ASFIS) species list. http://www.fao.org/fishery/collection/asfis/en (Whipsnout Sorcerer)

Smith, D.G. 2016. Families Colocongridae, Derichthyidae, Muraenesocidae, Nemichthyidae, Congridae, Nettastomatidae, Serrivomeridae, Cyematidae, Saccopharyngidae, Eurypharyngidae and Monognathidae. pp. 1667-1714 in Carpenter, K.E. & De Angelis, N. (eds.). The Living Marine Resources of the Eastern Central Atlantic. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. Bony Fishes Part 1 (Elopiformes to Scorpaeniformes). Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1511-2350. [1699] (Whipsnout Sorcerer)

Smith, D.G. & Stewart, A.L. 2015. Families Derichthyidae, Nemichthyidae, Congridae, Nettastomatidae, Serrivomeridae. pp. 259-290 in Roberts, C.D., Stewart, A.L. & Struthers, C.D. The Fishes of New Zealand. Wellington : Te Papa Press Vol. 2 pp. 1-576. [297] (Periscope Duckbill Eel)

History of changes