Species: Ophichthus spinicauda, Spinefin snake eel

Ophichthus spinicauda (Norman, 1922)

Spinefin snake eel

Body cylindrical, robust, stouter than tail; tail short, 48-53% of TL; snout short, overhanging; eye moderate, over middle of mouth; front nostril a narrow tube; rear nostril entirely outside mouth, completely covered by a flap that has a flange around it; mouth large; teeth stout, conical, small, no fangs, larger fish with more, a few at top front exposed when mouth is closed; roof of mouth with  1-3 staggered pairs then 1 row of 10-12; jaws with 2 rows of teeth, top jaw with 15-24 in each row; lower jaw with 19-25 in each; dorsal origin behind pectorals by > than pectoral length, a short section of fin at rear raised and conspicuous due to thickened rays; pectoral fin 22-30% 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.