Ophichthus rex Böhlke & Caruso, 1980
King snake eel

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  211 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 24 kg
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 64 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: northern Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Texas in USA.
Diagnosis:  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).
Biology:  Inhabits offshore water from 15-365 m depth. Commonly caught by anglers near oil rigs.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.