Teleostei (teleosts) >
Anguilliformes (Eels and morays) >
Ophichthidae (Snake eels) > Ophichthinae
Etymology: Ophichthus: Greek, ophis = serpent + Greek, ichthys = fish (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 64 m (Ref. 58018). Tropical; 26°N - 29°N, 98°W - 81°W
Western Atlantic: northern Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Texas in USA.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 211 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 7251); max. published weight: 23.6 kg (Ref. 40637)
Very large, TL 2.4 m; dorsal fin origin well behind tip of pectoral fin; 14-15 dark olive-brown, saddle-shaped markings along back. Dorsal and anal fins striped at bases, pectoral fin darker on dorsal half (Ref. 26938).
Body shape (shape guide): eel-like.
Inhabits offshore water from 15-365 m depth. Commonly caught by anglers near oil rigs.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Robins, C.R. and G.C. Ray, 1986. A field guide to Atlantic coast fishes of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, U.S.A. 354 p. (Ref. 7251)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest; gamefish: yes
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