Scolecenchelys aoki (Jordan & Snyder, 1901)
Misaki worm eel

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Myrophinae
Max. size:  46 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 80 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: restricted to Japanese waters, excluding northern Hokkaido and Ryukyu Archipelago, and southern Korea (Ref. 104540).
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 130-138. This elongate species of Scolecenchelys is distinguished by the following set of characters: head 7.6-10 % TL, tail 51-57 % TL; infraorbital pores 3 at postorbital area; median groove present ventrally on snout, extending anteriorly beyond level of anterior margin of tubular anterior-nostril base; acute snout; rictus of mouth slightly posterior to a vertical line through posterior margin of eye; conical and pointed teeth on upper jaw and vomer forming uniserial or biserial rows; dorsal-fin origin located posterior to a vertical line through the anus, horizontal distance between the origin and the vertical line 10-77% HL; total vertebrae 130-138, predorsal 56-65 and preanal 53-58; mean vertebral formula (MVF) 60-56-135 (Ref. 92899).
Biology:  Occurs in shallow tide pools to a depth of 80 m (Ref. 104540).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.