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Myrichthys ocellatus (Lesueur, 1825) Goldspotted eel |
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photo by
Bertoncini, A.A. |
| Family: | Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae | |||
| Max. size: | 110 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range - 15 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Atlantic: Bermuda, southern Florida (USA), and Bahamas to Santa Catarina, Brazil (Ref. 57756). Eastern Atlantic. | |||
| Diagnosis: | With diffuse dark spots, each with a pale center (bright yellow in life), on a pale tan or greenish-brown background, shading to pale green ventrally (Ref. 26938). | |||
| Biology: | Common near islands and in rocky or coral areas (Ref. 7251). May move beneath the sand (Ref. 9710). Found in seagrass bed sand areas with sand and coral rubble (Ref. 26938). Feeds mainly on crabs (Ref. 32). Forages at night for prey. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 August 2011 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||