WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Key Worm Eel

Ahlia egmontis

Also known as: Worm Eel

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2015
Adult
@whowhat · Clearwater, Flordia, United States · November 20141 / 3
01

Overview

Found singly, sometimes buried in the substrate with just the head showing, or more often hiding during the day, over rubble, sand and in seagrass beds, around bays, mangroves and off-shore reefs.
They feed nocturnally on crustaceans and small fish.

Snake Eels resemble snakes or worms because they have virtually no fins. Their pointed snouts and tails allow them to burrow beneath the sand.
They can usually be found with just their head showing above the sand waiting for their prey, a few species prowl around the sands at night. Some mimic banded sea snakes and can be found in the open during the day.

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How to identify

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean, Northwest Atlantic
  • Country only · 3
LIVES IN

Found singly, sometimes buried in the substrate with just the head showing, or more often hiding during the day, over rubble, sand and in seagrass beds, around bays, mangroves and off-shore reefs.

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Adult photos 3

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderAnguilliformes
    5. familyOphichthidae
    6. genusAhlia
    7. speciesAhlia egmontis (Jordan, 1884)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Snake Eels (Ophichthidae)