Fin's Fish Guide
The Speckled worm eel (Myrophis punctatus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Ophichthidae that grows up to 35 cm.
Western Atlantic from the USA to Brazil, on soft sand and silty bottoms of coastal water, estuaries and lagoons; tolerates brackish water.
Description
The speckled worm eel is a thin, worm-like eel of the family Ophichthidae (snake eels) reaching about 35 cm. The brown, finely speckled body is strongly elongate, with very small fins and a hard, pointed tail tip with which the fish burrows backward into soft bottoms. The species lives on sand and mud bottoms of coastal water, estuaries and lagoons along the western Atlantic coast and tolerates brackish water. By day it stays buried; at night it partly emerges to hunt small crustaceans, worms and other bottom animals. Like other eels it has a transparent, ribbon-shaped larval stage (leptocephalus) that grows up in coastal water. Because of its hidden lifestyle it is rarely seen.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Speckled worm eel?
The Speckled worm eel has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Slender, worm-shaped eel with a pointed tail and very small fins; burrows tail-first into soft bottoms.
Where does the Speckled worm eel live?
The Speckled worm eel lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic from the USA to Brazil, on soft sand and silty bottoms of coastal water, estuaries and lagoons; tolerates brackish water.
How big does the Speckled worm eel get?
The Speckled worm eel grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.
Is the Speckled worm eel dangerous to humans?
No, the Speckled worm eel is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Speckled worm eel edible?
The Speckled worm eel is not usually eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Myrophis
More from the family Ophichthidae
Want the complete picture on the Speckled worm eel?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Speckled worm eel is one of 12,519 species in the app.