Ophichthus rutidoderma (Bleeker, 1852)
Olive snake eel
Ophichthus rutidoderma
photo by FAO

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  95 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 197-199. Similar in to O. aphotistos in dorsal fin origin, above 16th vertebra and biserial dentition, but is more elongated and has more vertebrae, 197-199 (Ref. 40865).
Biology:  Found in shallow water (Ref. 40865). Probably spends most of the day in a burrow along the river bank and forages actively at night for small fishes (Ref. 12693); in soft bottom (Ref. 7300).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 03 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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