Carapus Rafinesque, 1810
Body slightly compressed, eel-like; anus at or ahead of pectoral fin base. Teeth arranged in bands in both jaws, with no diastema. Lateral processes of vertebrae 1-2 long, but not expanded; vertebral processes 3-4 expanded; precaudal vertebrae 17-20. In life, typically translucent with irridescent spots on head and thoracic region.
Adults circumtropical as commensals in aspidochirote holothurians, large bivalves and sometimes asteroids, residing in the mantle cavity, respiratory trees or coelomic cavity. Found in shallow, coral reef, sand, and grass habitats, with abundance varying with location and availability of suitable hosts. Incidence of pearlfish within host may approach 100%. As commensals, feed on small invertebrates, other small fishes, or exhibit cannibalism.
Species 14 (mostly Indo-Pacific); in Clofnam area 3 (two of which may be nominal forms).
Recent revision: Arnold (1956).
Species of this genus in the program:
Carapus acus
Carapus birpex
Carapus cuspis