Teleostei (teleosts) > Anguilliformes (Eels and morays) > Ophichthidae (Snake eels) > Ophichthinae
Etymology: Pisodonophis: Greek, piso, pipisko = to drink + Greek, odous = teeth + Greek, ophis = serpent
More on author: Hamilton.

Marine; brackish; freshwater; demersal; anadromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 10 m (Ref. 86942); tropical.

Indo-West Pacific: Somalia (Ref. 30573) and Tanzania south to Knysna, South Africa (Ref. 3972), including the Seychelles (Ref. 7245); also southern India and Sri Lanka (Ref. 7245). Widespread elsewhere from the east Indian coast throughout Indonesia to Polynesia (Ref. 7245).

Max length: 100 cm TL male/unsexed (Ref. 3972); common length: 70.0 cm TL male/unsexed (Ref. 7245).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Vertebrae: 171 - 180. Diagnosis: Body snake-like, cylindrical, compressed only along extreme tail tip; anterior nostril tubular, posterior along lower edge of lip; teeth granular to molariform, multiserial bands on jaws and vomer, but sharper on jaws and more pointed in young individuals; median fins not continuous posteriorly; extreme tip of tail stiff and finless; dorsal fin origin about a pectoral fin length behind tips of pectoral fins; lateral line inconspicuous (Ref. 4832).

Description: Body snake-like, cylindrical, compressed only along extreme tail tip; head length 9-12 times in total length; body depth 30-36 times in total length (Ref. 3972, 7245). Eye relatively small; anterior nostril tubular, posterior nostril along lower edge of lip; snout moderately protruding in front of lower jaw; teeth in jaws and on vomer granular to molariform, in multiserial bands on jaws, intermaxillary and vomer; teeth sharper, more pointed and fewer in young specimens; a small papilla on upper lip behind base of anterior nostril, a smaller one below eye; throat swollen and supported by a basket of free branchiostegal rays that overlap below (Ref. 3972, 7245). Vertical fins discontinuous posteriorly, the extreme tip of tail stiff and finless; dorsal fin originating about a pectoral fin length behind tips of pectoral fins, which are well developed; pelvic fins absent (Ref. 7245). Lateral line system inconspicuous (Ref. 7245). Vertebrae 171-180 (Ref. 3972).

Colouration: Uniform olive brown above, lighter below (Ref. 3972, 7245). Dorsal fin with a narrow black edge (Ref. 7245).

Found in lagoons and estuaries, entering freshwater and paddy fields (Ref. 7245, 30573). Common in tidal reaches and nearby upstream areas of coastal rivers (Ref. 12693). Lives in holes in the river bottom and bank and actively forages for small fishes at night (Ref. 12693). Reported to spawn in rice-paddies during the rainy season (Ref. 12693). Caught in bag nets and similar gear. Marketed fresh.

Castle, P.H.J. 1984 Ophichthidae. p. 38-39. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ORSTOM, Paris and MRAC, Tervuren. Vol. 1. (Ref. 3508)

  Least Concern (LC); date assessed: October 12 2009

Not Evaluated

Not Evaluated

  Harmless

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Preferred temperature (Ref. 123201): 24.6 - 29.2, mean 28.5 °C (based on 2626 cells).

Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82804): PD₅₀ = 0.502 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].

Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00095 (0.00049 - 0.00186), b=2.97 (2.79 - 3.15), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & (Sub)family-body (Ref. 93245).

Trophic level (Ref. 69278): 4.0 ±0.7 se; Based on food items.

Resilience (Ref. 120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).

Fishing vulnerability (Ref. 59153): High vulnerability (60 of 100).

Price category (Ref. 80766): Unknown.

Nutrients (Ref. 124155): Calcium = 0 [0, 0] mg/100g; Iron = 0 [0, 0] mg/100g; Protein = 0 [0, 0] %; Omega3 = 0 [0, 0] g/100g; Selenium = 0 [0, 0] μg/100g; VitaminA = 0 [0, 0] μg/100g; Zinc = 0 [0, 0] mg/100g (wet weight);