Ophichthus cuulongensis
Ophichthus cuulongensis Vo, Hibino & Ho, 2025
Mekong’s estuary snake eel

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  99.8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 8 - 20 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Vietnam.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 199-207. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: occipital not convex prominently, dorsal of snout with median shallow groove, reaching to interorbital pore; three or more shallow wrinkles (usually 3) on posterior part of eye; body with numerous longitudinal wrinkles, also prominent on abdomen; head length 5.2-6.2% TL; tail length 65.4-68.8% TL; two protrusions along upper lip from each side (some paratypes 1 on one side); dorsal-fin origin slightly behind pectoral-fin tip; SO 1 + 3, POM 5 (or rarely 6) + 2; teeth small (but larger in intermaxillary and anterior vomer); body dark brown, paler abdomen; dark-margined dorsal fin, anal fin initially pale but in posterior part with faded dark margin, the area more than two head length; total vertebrae 199-207, MVF 14-62-202 (Ref. 133101).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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