Ichthyapus vulturis (Weber & de Beaufort, 1916)
Vulture sand eel
Ichthyapus vulturis
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  60 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 56 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Mascarenes to Pitcairn (Ref. 41650), north to Japan, south to Australia; Palau in Micronesia. Eastern Pacific: Easter Island.
Diagnosis:  Snout pointed and rat-like (Ref. 48635). Description: Characterized by white or pinkish to pale tan color dorsally; head length 10.4 in TL; body depth 48 in TL; head and trunk 1.5 times in tail length; no fins; very small eye; long slit in upper lip directed downward below eye, posterior nostril; pointed snout and greatly protruding beyond lower jaw; small and uniserial jaw teeth; ventral gill opening (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  A burrowing species of inshore waters, in soft bottom areas (Ref. 7300, 75154). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Sandy bottoms in 2-18 m (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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 Not for publication.