WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Large-spotted Snake Eel

Ophichthus polyophthalmus

Also known as: Many-eyed Snake Eel, Many-eyed Worm Eel, Ocellated Snake Eel, Ocellated Worm Eel, Yellow-spotted Snake Eel

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2022
Adult
@blogie · Dayang Beach Dive Site, Talikud Island, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines · November 20111 / 1
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Overview

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.

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 · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found singly, usually buried with just the head showing, in rubble and sand, close to corals, over coral and rocky reefs.

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Adult photos 1

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Discussion 2

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2 comments

  • Neil Wiltshire· 27 Jan 2024

    While 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).

  • fishx6Top Contributor· 21 Mar 2024

    According to Fishbase they are found in the area!

    Helpful
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FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

Deep dive

Taxonomy

  1. kingdomAnimalia
  2. phylumChordata
  3. classTeleostei
  4. orderAnguilliformes
  5. familyOphichthidae
  6. genusOphichthus
  7. speciesOphichthus polyophthalmus Bleeker, 1864

SourcesWoRMSFishBase

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More in the family

Snake Eels (Ophichthidae)