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Saccopharynx
Saccopharynx ampullaceus. From plate 49 of Oceanic Ichthyology by George Brown Goode and Tarleton Hoffman Bean, published 1896.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Anguilliformes
Suborder:	Saccopharyngoidei
Family:	Saccopharyngidae
Genus:	Saccopharynx Mitchill, 1824
Species
See text

Saccopharynx is a genus of deep-sea eel-like fishes with large mouths, distensible stomachs and long, scaleless bodies. Commonly, these fish are called gulpers or gulper eels. It is the only genus in the family Saccopharyngidae, and is part of the derived lineage of the "saccopharyngiforms," which includes other mid-water eel species. The name is from Latin saccus meaning "sack" and Greek φάρυγξ, pharynx.

They are generally black in color, and can grow to lengths of 2 m (6.5 feet). They have been found at depths of 1,800 m (6,000 ft). Their tails are tipped by a luminous, bulb-shaped organ. The exact purpose of this organ is unknown, although it is most likely used as a lure, similar to the esca of anglerfish.

Species

The ten species are:

• 
  Saccopharynx ampullaceus Harwood, 1827 (Gulper eel)


• 
  Saccopharynx berteli Tighe & J. G. Nielsen, 2000
  


• 
  Saccopharynx harrisoni Beebe, 1932
  


• 
  Saccopharynx hjorti Bertin, 1938
  


• 
  Saccopharynx lavenbergi J. G. Nielsen & Bertelsen, 1985
  


• 
  Saccopharynx paucovertebratis J. G. Nielsen & Bertelsen, 1985
  


• 
  Saccopharynx ramosus J. G. Nielsen & Bertelsen, 1985
  


• 
  Saccopharynx schmidti Bertin, 1934 (Whiptail gulper)


• 
  Saccopharynx thalassa J. G. Nielsen & Bertelsen, 1985
  


• 
  Saccopharynx trilobatus J. G. Nielsen & Bertelsen, 1985
  

References

• Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2011). "Saccopharyngidae" in FishBase. June 2011 version.

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