Myrophis microchir (Bleeker, 1864)
Ordinary snake eel
photo by Shao, K.T.

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Myrophinae
Max. size:  39 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 1 - 35 m
Distribution:  Indo- West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Fiji; Australia to Japan; throughout East Indian region.
Diagnosis:  Description: Characterized by olive greenish to greyish color; head length about 8-10 in TL; body depth about 40 in TL; length of tail about 1.5 in TL; projecting snout beyond lower jaw, 4.8 in head length; with pectoral fin, about 4.8 in head length; origin of dorsal fin above rear edge of pectoral fin; dorsal and anal fins confluent with caudal fin; soft and flexible tail tip; small, conical and uniserial teeth on side of jaws and on vomer, biserial anteriorly; patch of about eight teeth in intermaxillary (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  a cryptic species that lives in sandy substrates (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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