Species: Ophichthus ophis, Spotted snake eel

Ophichthus ophis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Spotted snake eel

Body cylindrical, robust, stouter than tail; tail 57-61% of TL; head conical at front, flat between eyes, snout overhanging; eye large, horizonally elongate and eliptical, over middle of mouth; front nostril a tube, with a small, conspicuous barbell from its center rim; rear nostril large, entirely outside mouth, bordered by an irregular flange-like lip; mouth large; teeth stout, conical, no fangs, those at top front of mouth exposed; roof of mouth with 1 pair of teeth at front, then 1 row of 12-17 that are smaller to the rear, jaws with 2 rows of teeth; top jaw with outer row of 8-15, inner row of 10-19; lower jaw with 2 rows of 14-23 outer and 14-19 inner; dorsal origin over middle of tips of pectorals; pectoral fin 23-27% of head length, like a spatula, with restricted base - opposite and above upper half of gill opening; tip of tail a blunt, finless point; lateral line complete, lines of each side of head connected by 2 canals with across top of head.