# Earthworm eel

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**Chaudhuriidae** is a [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) of small [freshwater](/source/Freshwater) [eel](/source/Eel)-like [fish](/source/Fish) related to the [swamp eels](/source/Swamp_eel) and [spiny eels](/source/Spiny_eel), commonly known as the **earthworm eels**. The known [species](/source/Species) are literally the size and shape of [earthworms](/source/Earthworm), thus the family name. While one species, *Chaudhuria caudata* was reported from the [Inle Lake](/source/Inle_Lake) by [Nelson Annandale](/source/Nelson_Annandale) in 1918,[2] the others have been only recently reported (since the 1970s), all in the eastern [Asia](/source/Asia) area, from [India](/source/India) to [Korea](/source/Korea).[3]

Neither the [dorsal](/source/Dorsal_fin) nor [anal fins](/source/Fish_anatomy#Fins) have spines, and in *Nagaichthys* and *Pillaia* they have fused with the [caudal fin](/source/Fish_anatomy#Fins); in the other genera, the caudal is small but separate. Their bodies have no scales. The few specimens found to date have been no longer than 8 cm (3.1 in), and *Nagaichthys filipes* is only known to reach 3.1 cm (1.2 in). The eyes are small, covered in thick skin.[4] Almost nothing is known of the habits and biology of the earthworm eels.

The family name "Chaudhuriidae" comes the genus name *[Chaudhuria](/source/Chaudhuria)*, expanded to family level. Both names honour B. L. Chaudhuri (d. 1931) for his assistance in writing the initial paper that erected both the genus and family.[5]

## References

1. Britz, R. (2016). "*Pillaiabrachia siniae*, a new species of earthworm eel from northern Myanmar (Teleostei: Synbranchiformes: Chaudhuriidae)". *Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters*. **27** (1): 41–47.

1. Annandale, N. (9 May 1918). ["Fish and fisheries of the Inlé Lake"](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/11136254#page/67/mode/1up). *Records of the Indian Museum (Calcutta)*. **14**: 33–64. [doi:10.5962/bhl.part.18603](https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.part.18603)

1. Britz, R. (2003). ["Descriptive Osteology of the Family Chaudhuriidae (Teleostei, Synbranchiformes, Mastacembeloidei), with a Discussion of Its Relationships"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232686990). *American Museum Novitates*. '***(3418): 1–62. [doi:10.1206/0003-0082(2003)418<0001:DOOTFC>2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1206/0003-0082(2003)418%3C0001:DOOTFC%3E2.0.CO;2). – via ResearchGate.***

1. ["Order ACANTHURIFORMES (part 6): Families GERREIDAE, LETHRINIDAE, NEMIPTERIDAE and SPARIDAE"](https://etyfish.org/acanthuriformes6/). *The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database*. Christopher Scharpf. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2025.

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