Gymnothorax ocellatus, _Spix et Agass_. Pisces Brazil. p. 91. tab. 50 b.
FORM.—Head but moderately compressed. Snout rather short and blunt.
Jaws equal. Gape reaching a little beyond the posterior part of the
orbit. Teeth apparently in only a single row above and below, very
strong and sharp at the extremity of the jaws: none at the anterior
part of the vomer, but a few very short ones not easily seen at the
back part of the median line of the palate. Two tubular orifices at
the extremity of the snout, but above the eyes only two simple pores
not prolonged into tubes. Eyes rather large, much exceeding in size
the branchial orifice; scarcely more than one diameter between them
and the end of the snout. Two or three large pores along the edges
of both jaws. Dorsal very distinct, commencing above the branchial
orifice. Vent a little before the middle. Tail gradually tapering to
a rather fine point.
Length 12 inc. 9 lines.
COLOUR.—(_In spirits._) Head and trunk brown, with round whitish
spots. Dorsal and anal spotted with black and white, the black spots
occupying the edge of the fin. Extremity of the tail imperfectly
banded with white and dusky brown. Belly pale.
Habitat, Rio de Janeiro.
This elegant and well-marked species, first discovered by Spix on the
Brazilian coast, was taken by Mr. Darwin in the harbour of Rio de
Janeiro.