| Family: |
Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae |
| Max. size: |
61.5 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific. |
| Diagnosis: |
Vertebrae: 134-139. This moderately elongate species of Ophichthus, subgenus Coecilophis is distinguished by the following characters: tail 53-58%, head 11-13% of total length and depth at gill opening 4.0-4.8% of TL; origin of dorsal-fin slightly behind pectoral-tips; pectoral fins spatulate, non-elongate and slightly less than length; large eyes, posterior margin of orbit ahead of rictus; posterior nostril a hole in upper lip and covered by a flap; small, inconspicuous head pores, SO 1+3, IO 4+2, POM 2-3+6-7 (usually 3+7); small, conical teeth, uniserial on mandible and vomer, few anterior teeth on maxillary; color tan on flanks and dorsum, pale ventrally, all fins and anterior nostrils pale, chin and snout dusky; mean vertebral formula 16.2/54.0/136.5, total vertebrae 134-139 (Ref. 84366). |
| Biology: |
Taken from great depths, rarely from shallow muddy bottoms. Feeds on benthic animals (Ref. 637). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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