Fin's Fish Guide
The Painted eel (Echelus myrus) is a saltwater fish of the family Ophichthidae that grows up to 100 cm.
Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, buried in sandy and silty bottoms from shallow to several hundred metres deep.
Description
The painted eel is a slender snake eel of the family Ophichthidae reaching about 1 metre. The round, grey-brown and mottled body has a pointed snout and a hard, pointed, finless tail with which the fish bores backward into the sand to hunt and shelter while buried. The species lives on sand and mud bottoms of the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, from shallow water to several hundred metres. From its hiding place it seizes small crustaceans, worms and small fish. Like all eels it develops through a transparent, leaf-shaped leptocephalus larva. Because of its hidden lifestyle it is only rarely seen and has no fishery importance.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Painted eel?
The Painted eel has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Slender snake eel with a pointed snout and a pointed, finless tail with which it burrows backwards into the sand.
Where does the Painted eel live?
The Painted eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, buried in sandy and silty bottoms from shallow to several hundred metres deep.
How big does the Painted eel get?
The Painted eel grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 60 cm.
Is the Painted eel dangerous to humans?
No, the Painted eel is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Painted eel edible?
The Painted eel is not usually eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Painted eel and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Echelus
More from the family Ophichthidae
Want the complete picture on the Painted eel?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Painted eel is one of 12,519 species in the app.