H atv aiian Fishes 



55 



This rare eel had a slender head and body, a tapering tail, and a 

 flattened snout. It measured about thirty inches in length and was of an 

 olive brown color. The only specimen known of this species was taken 

 in a dredge off Kauai between 409 and 550 fathoms. 



THE WORM EEL FAMILY 



31 Family Fchelidae (Myridae) 



All of the members of this family are small, worm-like creatures. 

 They have the tail surrounded by a fin, suggesting that they are related 

 to the conger eels. 



Two species of this family are known from Hawaiian waters. 



Worm Eel 



31-1 Muraenichthys gymnopterus (Bleeker) 

 This eel is dull brown in color and measures as much as ten inches 

 in length. It is known to occur about Japan, Java, the East Indies, and 

 in Hawaiian waters. 



Cooke's Worm Eel 



31-2 Muraenichthys cookei Fowler 



Drawn from Fowler 



This rare eel was reported to be brown or tawny olive on its back and 

 upper surface. The under surface and the fins were reported as paler in 

 color. The only specimen known measured about eight inches in length 

 and was caught off Oahu. 



This eel was named for Dr. Charles Montague Cooke of the Bernice 

 P. Bishop Museum in Honolulu. 



