WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Spotted Snake Eel

Myrichthys tigrinus

Also known as: Leopard Eel, Spotted Tiger Snake Eel, Tiger Snake Eel

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2010
Adult
@abcmath · on a cruise boat in Galapagos islands, Ecuador · March 20151 / 1
01

Overview

Found singly, over shallow, mud and sand bottoms, either buried in the substrate, or out hunting for food, in crevices or under rocks, over stony coral reefs.

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.

02

How to identify

Pattern
spots

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03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Eastern Pacific
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found singly, over shallow, mud and sand bottoms, either buried in the substrate, or out hunting for food, in crevices or under rocks, over stony coral reefs.

04

Adult photos 1

05

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. genusMyrichthys
    7. speciesMyrichthys tigrinus Girard, 1859

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Snake Eels (Ophichthidae)