Species: Ophichthus rugifer, Wrinkled snake-eel

Ophichthus rugifer McCosker & Rosenblatt, 1998

Wrinkled snake-eel

A relatively robust species; tail 56-62% of TL; head 10-11.5% of TL; body of large individuals conspicuously etched with fine longitudinal striations; eye large, about 8-12.5% of head length, about over middle of mouth; front nostril tubular under snout; rear nostril in a large flat tube, opening outside top lip; snout overhanging; a small barbel on lip just before rear nostril; mouth large; teeth conical, strong, 1 row on roof of mouth, two rows on sides of jaws; gill opening vertical, semicircular; dorsal fin origin over mid-pectoral; tip of tail a blunt, finless point; pectorals spatula-like, 25-40% of head length, with restricted bases - opposite and above upper half of gill opening; lateral line not abruptly arched at rear of head.

Preserved fish yellow, darker above; a series of brown spots from mid-flank to dorsal base, irregularly paired along midline, largest spots about eye diameter; dorsal fin margin with series of brown streaks; front half of anal fin yellowish, darker on base at rear, flanked by reddish stripes; median fins black at rear as they enter a deep groove; most of pectoral of large individuals dark; head and throat covered with smaller brown spots; front nostrils and tail tip yellow.

Size: reaches 68 cm.

Habitat: sand and rubble bottoms.

Depth: 3-200 m.

Galapagos and Cocos Islands.