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Blotched snake eel (Callechelys muraena) — Ophichthidae

Blotched snake eel

Callechelys muraena
Family: Ophichthidae

The Blotched snake eel (Callechelys muraena) is a saltwater fish of the family Ophichthidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
27.0–115.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Canada, Mexico, USA

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Description

The blotched snake eel is a snake eel (Ophichthidae) from coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic, off West Africa. The species grows to about 60 cm and has a slender, yellowish, fin-poor body with numerous dark blotches and a pointed, hard tail tip. As a bottom-dweller it burrows tail-first into sand and mud bottoms and protrudes only its head to snap at small crustaceans and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blotched snake eel?

The Blotched snake eel has a snake-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Blotched snake eel live?

The Blotched snake eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Canada, Mexico, USA

How big does the Blotched snake eel get?

The Blotched snake eel grows to a maximum of about 60 cm.

Is the Blotched snake eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Blotched snake eel is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Blotched snake eel sourced
Scientific name
Callechelys muraena
Family
Ophichthidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
27.0 verified
Max depth (m)
115.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Canada, Mexico, USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Callechelys

More from the family Ophichthidae

Fin

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