| Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae |
| 97 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 35 m |
| Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Delagoa Bay, Mozambique and east to the Society Islands, French Polynesia. Often confused with Laticuda colubrina (Ref. 9710). |
|
Vertebrae: 190-202. Broadly banded with black and white, sometimes with blotches, but may comprise additional species (Ref. 48635). Superficially resembles the venomous sea snake Laticauda colubrina, but is entirely harmless.
Description: Characterized by head length 17-20 in TL; body depth 48-68 in TL; tail 1.8-1.9 in TL; dorsal fin origin anterior to gill opening; anal fin ends on tail well before end of dorsal fin; blunt teeth in two rows in jaws (Ref. 90102). |
| Adults occur in shallow sandy flats and seagrass beds (Ref. 1602, 48635, 58302). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 89972). Commonly seen hunting during the day (Ref. 48635). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 November 2020 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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