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Broadnose worm eel (Myrophis platyrhynchus) — Ophichthidae

Broadnose worm eel

Myrophis platyrhynchus
Family: Ophichthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Broadnose worm eel (Myrophis platyrhynchus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Ophichthidae that grows up to 21 cm.

Length
21 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–186.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The broadnose worm eel is a snake eel (Ophichthidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has an elongate, thin, worm-like body with a fairly broad, rounded snout and small eyes, adapted to a burrowing life. It inhabits tidal creeks and protected to semi-protected bays, and avoids the surf zone. It burrows into soft bottoms and searches for small bottom invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Broadnose worm eel?

The Broadnose worm eel has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Broadnose worm eel live?

The Broadnose worm eel lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Broadnose worm eel get?

The Broadnose worm eel grows to a maximum of about 21 cm.

Is the Broadnose worm eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Broadnose worm eel is harmless to humans.

Is the Broadnose worm eel edible?

The Broadnose worm eel is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Breedneus-wormaal sourced
English name
Broadnose worm eel verified
Scientific name
Myrophis platyrhynchus
Family
Ophichthidae
Other names
Broadnose Worm Eel; Broadnose worm eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
21.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
186.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Myrophis

More from the family Ophichthidae

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