Ophichthus hirritus McCosker, 2010
Ophichthus hirritus
photo by McCosker, J.E.

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  52.8 cm TL (male/unsexed); 53.4 cm TL (female)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range - 600 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: off the Seychelle Islands.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 171-172. This moderately elongate and slender species of Ophichthus, subgenus Coecilophis is distinguished by the following characters: tail 58-59% and head 7.9-8.4% of TL; origin of dorsal-fin 3 pectoral-fin lengths behind gill opening; rounded pectoral fins; posterior nostril a hole in upper lip covered with a flap; inconspicuous head pores, SO 1+4, IO 4+2, POM 3+5; stout, conical and numerous teeth, biserial anteriorly and uniserial posteriorly on vomer, biserial on maxillary and biserial anteriorly on mandible; color uniform brown, paler ventrally, fins pale; mean vertebral formula 19/62/171, total vertebrae 171-172 (Ref. 84366).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 04 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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