| Family: |
Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae |
| Max. size: |
75.4 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 18 m |
| Distribution: |
Pacific Ocean: Palau (Ref. 1602), Australia, Papua New Guinea (Ref. 6993) and Norfolk Island (Ref. 8879). |
| Diagnosis: |
Adults become banded with a thin white bar in the middle of each band.
Description: Characterized by bold pattern of alternating black and white bars, black bars about twice width of white bars, frequently split dorsally by narrow yellowish line; head length about 13 in TL; body depth about 46 in TL; head and trunk slightly shorter than tail; with pectoral fins; low dorsal fin, origin above middle of pectoral fin; short tube anterior nostril; posterior nostril opposite front edge of eye; projecting upper jaw beyond lower jaw; uniserial jaw teeth or irregular biserial at middle of upper jaw; intermaxillary with about nine teeth (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
A burrowing species of inshore, soft bottom areas (Ref. 7300, 75154). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 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 Not for publication.
