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Charmed snake-eel (Ophichthus zophochir) — Ophichthidae

Charmed snake-eel

Ophichthus zophochir
Family: Ophichthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Charmed snake-eel (Ophichthus zophochir) is a saltwater fish of the family Ophichthidae that grows up to 98 cm.

Length
98 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–110.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The yellow snake eel is a snake eel of the family Ophichthidae from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 98 cm and has an elongate, yellow-brown, snake-like body with a hard, pointed tail. It inhabits rocky and sandy areas and is a burrowing species that buries itself largely in the bottom, with only the head protruding. As a bottom hunter it feeds on clams and fishes. Unlike morays a snake eel has a relatively small mouth and is not aggressive. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Charmed snake-eel?

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

Where does the Charmed snake-eel live?

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

How big does the Charmed snake-eel get?

The Charmed snake-eel grows to a maximum of about 98 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Charmed snake-eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Charmed snake-eel is harmless to humans.

Is the Charmed snake-eel edible?

The Charmed snake-eel is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gele slangaal sourced
English name
Charmed snake-eel verified
Scientific name
Ophichthus zophochir
Family
Ophichthidae
Other names
Yellow snake eel; Yellow snake-eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
98.0 verified
Average length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold 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
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
110.0 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 Ophichthus

More from the family Ophichthidae

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