Phyllophichthus xenodontus Gosline, 1951
Flappy snake-eel
Phyllophichthus xenodontus
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  42 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 8 - 30 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Hawaii and the Society Islands; north to Ryukyu Islands; south to Australia; East Indies, from Christmas Island and Indonesia (Flores and Molucca Is.).
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 157-179. Description: Characterized by greyish color, grading to white ventrally; tiny white spots surrounding sensory pores; head length 10.7 in TL; depth of body about 40 in TL; dorsal fin origin above middle of pectoral fin; snout pointed and overhanging with very broad nasal flap; small, sharp and uniserial teeth on jaws; biserial intermaxillary teeth; vomer without teeth (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  A benthic (Ref. 58302) and burrowing species which occurs in inshore waters (Ref. 7300, 75154).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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