Ophisternon bengalense McClelland, 1844
Bengal eel
Potta aandha,  Swamp eel
Ophisternon bengalense
photo by Ramani Shirantha

Family:  Synbranchidae (Swamp-eels)
Max. size:  100 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  Asia and Oceania: India and Sri Lanka to south-eastern Asia, Indonesia, Philippines and New Guinea. Recorded from Australia (Ref. 7300) and Palau (Ref. 6371).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Adults inhabit both fresh and brackish waters of rivers and swamps (Ref. 2847, 44894) or near the river mouth (Ref. 13533). They occur mainly in thick vegetation of muddy, still water bodies, such as lagoons, swamps, canals and rice fields (Ref. 6028). Live in soft bottom sediments in quiet, well vegetated backwaters of brackish estuaries and nearby swamps (Ref. 44894), usually in burrows. Prefer estuarine or tidal areas, as efficient burrowers. The male guards and builds nest or burrow (Ref. 205). Marketed fresh, usually not kept alive for long periods of time (Ref. 12693).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Was only recorded from the coastal swamps of the south west, mainly between Colombo and Kalutara. Has not been recorded during the past 20 years. Probably extirpated. Also Ref. 2847, 41236.


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