Myrichthys magnificus (Abbott, 1860)
Magnificent snake eel
photo by Barrie, K.

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  78 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 1 - 262 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Hawaiian Islands, Johnston Island, the Leeward Islands, and Midway Atoll.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 177-183. Body moderately elongate, depth 32-45 in TL; yellow to tan with brown to brownish-black spots, variable in size but about equal to or smaller than eye, the spots becoming more numerous in larger specimens. Pectoral fin length less than its base, about 2 in snout (Ref. 40867).
Biology:  Common in shallow water and occasionally at the surface over sand and coral (Ref. 40867). Benthic in crevices and on sandy or rocky substrata (Ref. 58302).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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