Ophichthus shaoi McCosker & Ho, 2015
Long bodied snake eel
photo by McCosker & Ho, 2015

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  62.3 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 200 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Taiwan.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 155-164. This moderately elongate species is distinguished by the following characters:: tail 50-52%, head 9-10%, body depth at gill opening 2.6-3.2% of total length; dorsal-fin origin is above mid-pectoral fin; wedge-shaped pectoral fin not elongate and well-developed; posterior nostril is a hole within upper lip opening into mouth, not visible externally; conspicuous upper lip barbel behind anterior nostril; pores are small but conspicuous, SO 1+4, IO 6+2, POM 6+3; teeth are small and conical, uniserial on jaws and mandible; body coloration uniform grayish-brown, throat and ventral trunk region gray, body and tail brown, fins pale; total vertebrae 155-164, mean vertebral formula 11-69-159 (Ref. 106143).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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