| Family: |
Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae |
| Max. size: |
47.32 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine; depth range - 460 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Indian Ocean: presently known only from South Africa. |
| Diagnosis: |
This species is distinguished by an body with tail 62%, head 7.2%, and body depth at gill opening 1.3% of total length; dorsal-fin origin nearly 2 head lengths behind pectoral-fin tips; pectoral fin elongate; posterior nostril a hole within upper lip, covered by a flap that extends below edge of lip; no barbels on upper lip and a no slit at posterior nostril; pores small
but conspicuous, SO 1 + 4, IO 4 + 2, POM5 + 2; teeth small and conical, biserial on upper jaw, uniserial on lower jaw, a single vomerine tooth; coloration uniform grey-black; vertebral formula 20/61/165. Counts and measurements of the holotype (in mm): total length 472; head 34.0; trunk 144; tail 294; predorsal distance 64; pectoral-fin length 8.25; pectoral base 2.4;
body depth ~6 at gill openings; body width ~6 at gill openings; body depth ~5 at anus; body width ~5 at anus; snout 7.5; tip of snout to rictus 11.2; snout overhang 3.5; eye diameter 3.0; interorbital width 3.5; gill opening height 3.1; isthmus width 2.6 (Ref. 58467). |
| Biology: |
|
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 19 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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