Fin's Fish Guide
The Shrimp eel (Ophichthus gomesii) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Ophichthidae that grows up to 91 cm.
Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, on soft sand and silty bottoms of coastal water and estuaries; tolerates brackish water.
Description
Gomes' shrimp eel is a long, grey-brown eel of the family Ophichthidae (snake eels) reaching about 91 cm. The snake-like body ends in a pointed, hard tail tip without a tail fin, with which the fish burrows backward into soft bottoms. By day it stays buried, sometimes with only the head showing; at night it partly emerges to hunt shrimp, crabs, small fish and worms, hence the name 'shrimp eel'. The species lives on sand and mud bottoms of coastal water and estuaries along the western Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico and tolerates brackish water. Like other eels it has a transparent, ribbon-shaped larval stage (leptocephalus). Because of its burrowing lifestyle it is rarely seen.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Shrimp eel?
The Shrimp eel has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Long, greyish-brown snake eel with a pointed, hard tail tip with which it burrows backwards into the bottom.
Where does the Shrimp eel live?
The Shrimp eel lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, on soft sand and silty bottoms of coastal water and estuaries; tolerates brackish water.
How big does the Shrimp eel get?
The Shrimp eel grows to a maximum of about 91 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.
Is the Shrimp eel dangerous to humans?
No, the Shrimp eel is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Shrimp eel edible?
The Shrimp eel is not usually eaten.
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All data
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Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
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Status & sources
Same genus Ophichthus
More from the family Ophichthidae
Want the complete picture on the Shrimp eel?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Shrimp eel is one of 12,519 species in the app.