Echelus polyspondylus McCosker & Ho, 2015
Many-vertebrae snake eel
Echelus polyspondylus
photo by McCosker & Ho, 2015

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  56.7 cm TL (male/unsexed); 53.7 cm TL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Taiwan.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 172-183. This elongate species is distinguished by the following characters: tail 65-69%, head 7.6-8.3%, body depth at gill opening 1.8-2.3% of total length; tail tip flexible, the caudal-fin rays covered by skin, but confluent with dorsal and anal; dorsal-fin origin is nearly 1 head length behind gill opening; pectoral fin pointed, not elongate and well-developed; posterior nostril is within upper lip, opening into mouth; small pores, inconspicuous, SO 1+4, IO 4+2, POM 6+3; teeth are small, numerous and conical, biserial on jaws, uniserial on vomer; body coloration tan dorsally, pale ventrally, fins are pale except anal-fin membrane which is black before tail tip; total vertebrae 172-183, mean vertebral formula 20-53-177 (Ref. 106143).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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