| Family: |
Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae |
| Max. size: |
48.9 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 200 - 450 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Central Pacific: off Tonga, Fiji, and possibly New Caledonia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Vertebrae: 151-156. This moderately elongate species of Ophichthus, subgenus Coecilophis is distinguished by the following characters: tail 57-59% and head 11% of total length; origin of dorsal-fin slightly ahead of pectoral-fin tips; moderately elongate pectoral fins, wedge-shaped, is shorter than jaw; posterior nostril a hole in upper lip and is covered by a flap; minute, inconspicuous head pores, SO 1+4, IO 4+2, POM 2-3+6; small, conical and numerous teeth, uniserial on vomer, mandible and anterior and posterior portions of maxillary, which are irregularly biserial; pale in color, slightly darker dorsally, irregular faint white patches beneath lateral midline, all fins pale; mean vertebral formula 13/56/154, total vertebrae 151-156 (Ref. 84366). |
| Biology: |
Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 86942. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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