Ophichthus tomioi McCosker, 2010
Ophichthus tomioi
photo by McCosker, J.E.

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  44.7 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 300 - 423 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: off the Philippines, Marquesas, Fiji, and the Seychelle Islands.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 166-189. This moderately elongate species of Ophichthus, subgenus Coecilophis is distinguished by the following characters: tail 59-62.5% and head 9.1-10% of total length; origin of dorsal-fin slightly ahead of end of pectoral filaments; pointed, elongate and filamentous pectoral fins, posterior nostril a hole in outer lip and covered by an anterior flap; large eye nearly equal to snout; minute head pores, SO 1+4, IO 4+2, POM 2+6-7; small, conical and numerous teeth, uniserial on vomer, regularly biserial and close set on maxillary and mandible; yellow in color, tan along mid-flanks, hindmost ventral surface of tail black; vertebral formula 16/62/169, total vertebrae 166-189 (Ref. 84366).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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