| Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae |
| 120 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
demersal; marine; depth range 2 - 20 m |
| Indo-Pacific: widespread. |
|
Vertebrae: 177-182. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters (based on >15 cm TL): HL 9.5-10.9% TL; tail length 58.1-65.6% TL, tapering rapidly; snout acute, its length 20.0-24.4% HL; preopercular pores 3; teeth on upper jaw uniserial, teeth on vomer biserial anteriorly and uniserial posteriorly; dorsal-fin origin anterior to a vertical through pectoral-fin insertion; lateral-line pores, 7-9 predorsal and 55-61 preanal; pectoral-fin rays 16-18; vertebrae. 8-9 predorsal, 52-59 preanal and 177-182 total; mean vertebral formula 9-57-179. Colouration: anterior dorsal-fin membrane with a distinct dark blotch; cephalic sensory pores are margined dark brown; additional rows of black pits on snout, cheek and lower jaw; body without obscure bars (alive and preserved) (Ref. 132095). |
| A benthic (Ref. 75154) and burrowing species which occurs over soft bottoms of inshore waters (Ref. 7300, 75154). Feeds on cephalopodes, crustaceans and small fishes (Ref. 89972). Solitary in sand, often with head protruding (Ref 90102). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
