Teleostei (teleosts) >
Anguilliformes (Eels and morays) >
Ophichthidae (Snake eels) > Ophichthinae
Etymology: Myrichthys: Greek, myros, -ou = male of morey eel + Greek, ichthys = fish (Ref. 45335).
More on authors: Jordan & McGregor.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 1 - 20 m (Ref. 40867). Tropical
Distribution
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Point map | Introductions | Faunafri
Eastern Pacific: Revillagigedo and Clipperton islands.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 49.4 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 40867)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Vertebrae: 158 - 168. Head and body tan, with numerous large brown to brownish-black spots along sides and at the base of the dorsal fin; chin and throat with smaller spots; dorsal fin margin white, anal fin plain. Snout rounded. Pectoral fin length much less than its base, shorter than snout (Ref. 40867).
Body shape (shape guide): eel-like; Cross section: circular.
Found in shallow waters (to 20 m) among rocks and sand (Ref. 40867).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
McCosker, J.E. and R.H. Rosenblatt, 1993. A revision of the snake eel genus Myrichthys (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) with the description of a new eastern Pacific species. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 48(8):153-169. (Ref. 40867)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 24.3 - 29.1, mean 28.1 °C (based on 126 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5005 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00091 (0.00039 - 0.00215), b=2.99 (2.79 - 3.19), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.5 ±0.5 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate vulnerability (39 of 100).
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