Collared eel

The collared eel^[2] (Kaupichthys nuchalis) is an eel in the family Chlopsidae.^[3] It was described by James Erwin Böhlke in 1967.^[4] It is a tropical, marine eel known from coral reefs in the western Atlantic Ocean, including Texas, USA; the Bahamas, the Antilles, northern South America, the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean. It is a benthic, solitary eel that primarily resides in tubular sponges. Males can reach a maximum total length of 16 centimetres (6.3 in).^[3]

Collared eel
Kaupichthys nuchalis under normal illumination
Biofluorescence of Kaupichthys nuchalis
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Anguilliformes
Family:	Chlopsidae
Genus:	Kaupichthys
Species:	K. nuchalis
Binomial name
Kaupichthys nuchalis J.E. Böhlke, 1967

The collared eel exhibits biofluorescence, that is, when illuminated by blue or ultraviolet light, it re-emits it as orange, and appears differently than under white light illumination. Biofluorescence may assist in intraspecific communication and camouflage.^[5]