Family : Carapidae (Pearlfishes) , subfamily: Carapinae
Order : Ophidiiformes  (cusk eels)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Silver pearlfish
Fish Name : Encheliophis homei
Max size : 19.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 6347)
Environment : reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 0 - 30 m
Climate : tropical; 25°N - 35°S
Global Importance : fisheries: of no interest
Resilience: Distribution: Distribution : Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and the east coast of Africa (Ref. 583) to the Society Islands (Ref. 9710), as far north as Taiwan, but not Hawaii, and probably south to Tasmania.
Diagnosis : Eel-like, moderate to shallow body depth; maxilla free and movable; cardiform teeth present; branchiostegal membranes partly or completely united; swim bladder with thin terminal membrane or bulb; lacking enlarged dentary or premaxillary fangs, dentary diastema, pelvic fins, and swim bladder rocker bone (Ref. 34024). Precaudal vertebrae 16-19 (Ref. 34024).
Biology : This uncommon (Ref. 34024) pearlfish inhabits the coelom and respiratory trees of some holothurians, especially Stichopus chloronotus and Holothuria argus. It is apparently in competition with Jordanicus gracilis [= Encheliophis gracilis] for its preferred host H. argus. Although most occur singly, there is a tendency towards sexual pairing inside the host. Found to depths over 30 m (Ref. 9710). Stomach contents which include amphipod, shrimp and fish indicate non-parasitic, foraging habits (Ref. 6395)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Nielsen, J.G., D.M. Cohen, D.F. Markle and C.R. Robins. 1999. (Ref. 34024)

India country information
Common Names : കൊക്കായ മീന്, Billuri-mas, Haremkali, Kokkaya-meen
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses