[3] It is a marine, tropical eel which is known from the eastern central Pacific Ocean, including the Gulf of California, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua.

It dwells at a maximum depth of 30 metres (98 ft), and inhabits sandy sediments, sometimes in estuaries and mangroves.

[4] Males can reach a maximum total length of 76 centimetres (30 in).

[2] The IUCN redlist currently lists the Panama sand-eel as Least Concern, due to a lack of major threats and observed population decline.

It notes, however, that coastal development in its range could prove problematic for the species.