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Erabu snake eel (Ophichthus erabo) — Ophichthidae

Erabu snake eel

Ophichthus erabo
Family: Ophichthidae

The Erabu snake eel (Ophichthus erabo) is a saltwater fish of the family Ophichthidae that grows up to 72 cm.

Length
72 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–155.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Erabu snake eel is a snake eel (Ophichthidae) from shallow sand and estuarine water of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a slender, eel-like, pale body with a pointed, hard tail tip with which it burrows backwards into the bottom. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it lives largely buried and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Erabu snake eel?

The Erabu snake eel has a snake-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Erabu snake eel live?

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

How big does the Erabu snake eel get?

The Erabu snake eel grows to a maximum of about 72 cm.

Is the Erabu snake eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Erabu snake eel is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Erabu-slangaal sourced
English name
Erabu snake eel sourced
Scientific name
Ophichthus erabo
Family
Ophichthidae
Other names
Fowler's snake eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
72.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
155.0 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 Ophichthus

More from the family Ophichthidae

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