Teleostei (teleosts) >
Anguilliformes (Eels and morays) >
Ophichthidae (Snake eels) > Ophichthinae
Etymology: Ophichthus: Greek, ophis = serpent + Greek, ichthys = fish (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Kaup.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range 2 - 20 m (Ref. 89972). Tropical
Indo-Pacific: widespread.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 120 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 89972)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Vertebrae: 177 - 182. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters (based on >15 cm TL): HL 9.5-10.9% TL; tail length 58.1-65.6% TL, tapering rapidly; snout acute, its length 20.0-24.4% HL; preopercular pores 3; teeth on upper jaw uniserial, teeth on vomer biserial anteriorly and uniserial posteriorly; dorsal-fin origin anterior to a vertical through pectoral-fin insertion; lateral-line pores, 7-9 predorsal and 55-61 preanal; pectoral-fin rays 16-18; vertebrae. 8-9 predorsal, 52-59 preanal and 177-182 total; mean vertebral formula 9-57-179. Colouration: anterior dorsal-fin membrane with a distinct dark blotch; cephalic sensory pores are margined dark brown; additional rows of black pits on snout, cheek and lower jaw; body without obscure bars (alive and preserved) (Ref. 132095).
Cross section: circular.
A benthic (Ref. 75154) and burrowing species which occurs over soft bottoms of inshore waters (Ref. 7300, 75154). Feeds on cephalopodes, crustaceans and small fishes (Ref. 89972). Solitary in sand, often with head protruding (Ref 90102).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Hibino, Y. and J.E. McCosker, 2020. Resurrection of Ophichthus zophistius (Actinopterygii: Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae), with a revised diagnosis of O. altipennis. Zootaxa 4801(2):328-342. (Ref. 132095)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
Tools
Special reports
Download XML
Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 24.1 - 29.2, mean 28.4 °C (based on 3045 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [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): 4.1 ±0.7 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): High to very high vulnerability (72 of 100).
🛈
