Bascanichthys kabeyawan Hibino & Ho, 2022
Kabeyawan sand eel

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  52.6 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range - 1 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Taiwan.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished by the following characters; extremely elongate; head 4.6% TL; tail 52.3% TL; body depth at gill opening 1.1% TL; predorsal-fin length 58.4% HL; snout length 10.9% HL; lateral-line pores anterior to anus 104; vertebral formula 4-103-224; and dorsal-fin origin slightly behind middle of head and above fourth lateral-line pore. Colouration: body bicolored, no bands on head (Ref. 127464).
Biology:  The single specimen was collected by a trap net operated by a local fisherman who targeted glass eel species of Anguilla. It was collected together with other snake eels, such as Lamnostoma sp. and Ophichthus sp., and was probably chasing the fish larvae to the river mouth (Ref. 127464).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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