Echelus myrus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Painted eel
photo by Neto, G.

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  100 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 3 - 550 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Bay of Biscay to Pointe Noire, Congo including the Mediterranean.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Found on mud and sand bottom of estuaries and coastal lagoons. Burrows in sand with only the head protruding (Ref. 2683).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 October 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.