Species: Ophichthus longipenis, Long-tail snake-eel, Slender snake-eel

Ophichthus longipenis McCosker & Rosenblatt, 1998

Slender snake-eel,     Long-tail snake-eel

Elongate, slender; tail very long (74-80% of TL); head 7-9% of TL; eye large, about over middle of mouth; front nostril tubular under snout; rear nostril a hole above top lip covered by a flap that extends down to or below edge of mouth; a small tentacle between front and rear nostril; snout long and pointed when viewed from above, overhanging; mouth large; teeth pointed, small, numerous, in 1 row on roof of mouth, one row on sides of jaws, slender, curved, widely spaced; gill opening vertical, semicircular; dorsal fin origin ~ over pectoral fin base; pectoral fins long and slender, with restricted base; tip of tail a blunt, finless point; lateral line not abruptly arched at rear of head.

Color: Preserved fish uniform tan, paler below; fine brown flecking on head, chin, inside mouth, flanks and back; pores of head and front of lateral line in dark brown spots; fins pale.

Size: 59 cm.

Habitat: sand bottoms.

Depth: 0-70 m.

The SE corner of the Gulf of California to Panama.