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Fangtooth snake eel (Aplatophis chauliodus) — Ophichthidae

Fangtooth snake eel

Aplatophis chauliodus
Family: Ophichthidae

The Fangtooth snake eel (Aplatophis chauliodus) is a saltwater fish of the family Ophichthidae that grows up to 84 cm.

Length
84 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
33.0–91.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The fangtooth snake eel is a snake eel (Ophichthidae) from coastal and estuarine water of the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 84 cm and has an elongate, snake-shaped body with a large mouth full of long, needle-sharp teeth. As a burrowing bottom-dweller it lies buried in soft mud of shallow coastal water by day, sometimes with only the toothed head showing, and seizes passing small fish and crustaceans at night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fangtooth snake eel?

The Fangtooth snake eel has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Fangtooth snake eel live?

The Fangtooth snake eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Fangtooth snake eel get?

The Fangtooth snake eel grows to a maximum of about 84 cm.

Is the Fangtooth snake eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Fangtooth snake eel is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vangtand-slangaal sourced
English name
Fangtooth snake eel sourced
Scientific name
Aplatophis chauliodus
Family
Ophichthidae
Other names
Fangtooth snake-eel; Tusky Eel; Tusky eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
84.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
33.0 verified
Max depth (m)
91.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Aplatophis

More from the family Ophichthidae

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