|
Ophichthus pallens (Richardson, 1848) Narrow-fin snake eel |
| Family: | Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae | |||
| Max. size: | 33.6 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; marine | |||
| Distribution: | Northwest Pacific: Japan to China. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Vertebrae: 169-173. This species is distinguished by the following characters: head 7.7-7.9% TL; tail 61% TL; body depth at gill opening 2.1-2.5% TL; dorsal-fin origin is behind pectoral-fin tip by about two pectoral-fin lengths; pectoral fin is elongate; posterior nostril a hole within upper lip, not visible externally; upper lip with two small but prominent protrusions beneath first infraorbital pore and mid-orbit; supraorbital pores one + three; mandibular pores 5; preopercular pores 2; teeth are small and conical, irregularly biserial on jaws and vomer; total vertebrae169-173, mean vertebral formula 18-64-171. Colouration: uniform tan dorsally and pale ventrally, fins are pale without dark margins (Ref. 131479). | |||
| Biology: | ||||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||