Neither the dorsal nor anal fins have spines, and in Nagaichthys and Pillaia they have fused with the caudal fin; 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, and Nagaichthys filipes is only known to reach 3.1 cm. The eyes are small, covered in thick skin.Britz, R. (2003): Descriptive Osteology of the Family Chaudhuriidae (Teleostei, Synbranchiformes, Mastacembeloidei), with a Discussion of Its Relationships. American Museum Novitates, 3418: 1-62. Almost nothing is known of the habits and biology of the earthworm eels.
