Ophichthus cephalozona Bleeker, 1864
Dark-shouldered snake eel
photo by Yin, Robert

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  115 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 30 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Myanmar to the Society Islands.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 155-157. Body pale, almost white, with dark snout (Ref. 48635) and distinctive marking on back of head. Description: Characterized by head length 9.5-11 in TL; body depth 24-30 in TL; dorsal fin origin above posterior edge of pectoral fins; length of pectoral fin, 3-4 in head length; single row of slender, curved conical teeth in jaws and on vomer (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits muddy to sandy inshore areas and occasionally forages in the open at night (Ref. 637). Burrowing species (Ref. 75154). Caught rarely with gill net from the muddy shallow bottoms of Ryukyu Islands (Ref. 637). Nocturnally active (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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