Mastacembelidae
Mastacembelidae | |
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Macrognathus siamensis | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Synbranchiformes |
Suborder: | Mastacembeloidei |
Family: | Mastacembelidae Swainson, 1839[1] |
Type species | |
Ophidium mastacembelus J. Banks & Solander, 1794[2]
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Genera | |
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The Mastacembelidae are a family of fishes, known as the spiny eels. The Mastacembelids are part of the Order Synbranchiformes, the swamp eels, which are part of the Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes).
In an evaluation of the family in 2004, the subfamilies of Mastacembelidae were found to not be well supported and were rejected. Also, the genera Caecomastacembelus and Aethiomastacembelus were placed in
These fish originate from Africa, and southern and eastern Asia.
These fish have an eel-like body. The largest species can reach a maximum length of 1 m (3.3 ft).[3] Very characteristic of this group is the long nose appendage with two tubulated nostrils.[3] Mastacembelids have a series of well-separated dorsal spines on their back, hence the name of their family, spiny eels.[3]
In some areas these fish are regarded as
References
- PMID 25543675.
- ^ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Mastacembelus". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ S2CID 85280659.
- ^ ISBN 0-471-25031-7.