Cyema atrum
**Overview of Cyema atrum**
Cyema atrum, commonly known as the deepwater snipe eel, is a slender fish that inhabits the depths of tropical and subtropical oceans, typically found between 1,080 and 16,730 feet (330 and 5,100 meters). This species belongs to the family Cyematidae, which is characterized by its unique anatomical features, including a sharply-pointed snout and divided feather-like tail fins that give it an arrow-like appearance. Measuring about six inches (15 centimeters) in length, Cyema atrum is equipped with two long, thin jaws lined with tiny, sharp teeth, enabling it to effectively trap small deep-sea crustaceans for food.
The reproductive behavior of the deepwater snipe eel is notable, as the female often spawns in warm waters without strict regard for specific environmental conditions. Unlike many eel species, the larvae, or leptocephali, of Cyema atrum are distinctively shaped, being wider than they are long, and remain in this larval stage for up to two years before transforming into their adult form. Despite its elusive nature and limited observation in the wild, Cyema atrum represents an intriguing aspect of deep-sea biodiversity, deserving of further study to understand its life cycle and ecological role.
Subject Terms
Curtailed snipe eel
The thin, sharply-pointed snout and divided feather-like caudal, or tail, fins of the curtailed snipe eel give it the appearance of a long dart. It is thought to be either the only one or one of two species in this family. This eel lives between 1,600 and 16,500 feet (500 to 5,000 meters) below the surface. It has also been called the bobtailed snipe eel. Very little is known of this fish, which is not to be confused with the species of snipe eels.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Osteichthyes
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Anguillidae
Genus: Cyema
Species: Atrum
Deep in the tropical and subtropical oceans of the world at depths between 1,600 and 16,500 feet (500 and 5,000 meters) swims the curtailed snipe eel. Although it has been found at greater depths, it most often swims in the upper or middle of its range. This little eel only measures six inches (15 centimeters) long. It has a slender body with two long, thin jaws which look like a beak. Tiny, sharp teeth run along the edges of the jaws. The tail of the eel is divided into an upper and lower fin. These fins look like the feathers on an arrow or dart. In fact, the overall appearance of the eel looks like a dart which one would throw at a target. The skin of the eel is dark and velvety.
Even though the curtailed snipe eel has tiny eyes, it is able to see well enough in the deep water to catch its food. The many small teeth along the long, thin jaws skillfully trap deep-sea crustacea. The long legs and antennae of the crustacea become tangled in the teeth and jaws, and the little creatures become the eel's meals.
Some of the other distinguishing features of this eel relate to its reproduction. Many other eel species mate and spawn, or lay eggs, only within particular areas where the water temperatures and surroundings suit them. In the north Atlantic at least, the curtailed snipe eel does not appear to mind such details. The female often spawns over large areas of warm water.
Another difference between this eel and others is in the size and shape of the newly-hatched young. The leptocephali, or young in a larval stage, of other eel species look like long, thin, clear willow leaves. The curtailed snipe eel leptocephali are clear but are nearly as wide as they are long. They may spend up to two years in this stage before metamorphosing, or changing, into adults when they are three inches (eight centimeters) long. They then become long and slender with the divided tail and long jaws of the adults.
The life span of the curtailed snipe eel is unavailable.