Description
Also known as Many-eyed Snake Eel, Many-eyed Worm Eel, Ocellated Snake Eel, Ocellated Worm Eel, Yellow-spotted Snake Eel.
Found singly, usually buried with just the head showing, in rubble and sand, close to corals, over coral and rocky reefs.
They feed nocturnally on small fish and octopus.
Length - 60cm
Depth - 1-25m
Widespread Indo-Pacific
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. Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Ophichthus-polyophthalmus.html
2 comments
Posted by @fishx6According to Fishbase they are found in the area!
Posted by Neil WiltshireWhile SCUBA diving on Aliwal Shoal today, three of us saw one of these. To the best of my knowledge they've not previously been reported from this far south (central KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa).