Ophichthus semilunatus Hibino & Chiu, 2019
Half-moon blotch snake eel

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  50 cm TL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Taiwan.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 176-176. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: head 9.4% TL; tail 57.5% TL; snout is not acute, 19.0% HL; eye large, 93.3% of snout length and 17.7% HL; dorsal-fin origin is well behind pectoral-fin tip by about three pectoral-fin lengths; teeth on maxilla triserial; SO 1+3; POM 6 or 7+2; predorsal vertebrae 29, preanal vertebrae 64, total vertebrae 176; anterior margin of anus with a half-moon shaped dark marking (Ref. 121619).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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