Apterichtus orientalis Machida & Ohta, 1994

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  44.3 cm TL (male/unsexed); 31.8 cm TL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 79 - 81 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: known only from the type locality, off the Kii Peninsula, western Japan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0; Vertebrae: 133-133. This species is distinguished by the following characters: tail 1.8, head 12-14, and body depth 53-55 in total length; preopercular pores 3 and pores in supratemporal canal 7; conical teeth, uniserial, 9 in ethmoidal region, 1 tooth on vomer; body coloration uniform pale yellow with small brownish dots, lighter ventrally; MVF 54-132, total vertebrae 131-133 (n=2) (Ref. 101270).
Biology:  Inhabits sandy mud bottoms.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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