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Crocodile snake eel (Brachysomophis crocodilinus) — Ophichthidae

Crocodile snake eel

Brachysomophis crocodilinus
Family: Ophichthidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Crocodile snake eel (Brachysomophis crocodilinus) is a saltwater fish of the family Ophichthidae that grows up to 120 cm.

Length
120 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The crocodile snake eel is a large snake eel from coastal and reef water of the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 120 cm and has a long, snake-like, scaleless body with a flattened, crocodile-like head, high-set eyes and sharp teeth. As an ambush hunter it buries itself in sand and mud bottoms by day, with only the eyes and snout showing, and seizes passing fish and crustaceans lightning-fast. When disturbed or caught it can bite hard. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Crocodile snake eel?

The Crocodile snake eel has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Crocodile snake eel live?

The Crocodile snake eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Crocodile snake eel get?

The Crocodile snake eel grows to a maximum of about 120 cm.

Is the Crocodile snake eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Crocodile snake eel is harmless to humans.

Is the Crocodile snake eel edible?

The Crocodile snake eel is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Krokodil-slangaal verified
English name
Crocodile snake eel verified
Scientific name
Brachysomophis crocodilinus
Family
Ophichthidae
Other names
Crocodile snake eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
120.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Brachysomophis

More from the family Ophichthidae

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