Recent record and some biological characteristics of painted eel (Echelus myrus Linnaeus.1758) in the Northern Aegean Sea, Türkiye

Abstract

A specimen of the painted eel Echelus myrus (Linnaeus, 1758) was incidentally caught on May 24, 2025, by Serdar BAYRAM from the Darpane fishing vessel with a bottom longline from the northern Aegean Sea, Türkiye. The individual measured 546 mm in total length and weighed 98.25 g. In addition to these, other morphometric measurements were taken, and the meristic characteristics were recorded. The specimen was identified as a female with mature gonads (ripe stage). Oocyte diameters ranged from 0.63-1.22 mm with the mean of 0.90±0.015 mm. The stomach content of Echelus myrus revealed only the fragment of cuttlefish bait associated with the longline hook and line. These findings contribute to the limited existing knowledge of the biological characteristics Echelus myrus in by providing an additional record from Türkiye. This study also includes the recent observation of rarely recorded Echelus myrus in the northern Aegean Sea, Türkiye.