Species: Ophichthus rex, Giant snake eel, King snake eel

Ophichthus rex Bohlke & Caruso, 1980

Giant snake eel,  King snake eel

Body cylindrical, robust, stouter than tail; tail 50-54% of TL; snout short, with a shallow groove on underside that can extend onto its tip; eye moderate, over middle of mouth; front nostril a tube, with a notch on upper edge and a ridge inside lower edge; rear nostril entirely outside mouth, completely covered by a flap that opens to the back; mouth large; teeth stout, conical, no fangs, those at top front exposed when mouth is closed, larger fish with more teeth; roof of mouth with  double rows at front, single row at rear, top jaw with 2-4 rows; lower jaw with 1-2 rows in small fish, 4-6 in larger individuals; dorsal origin behind pectorals by < pectoral length; pectoral fin 26-34% of head length, spatula like, 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.