Brachysomophis cirrocheilos (Bleeker, 1857)

Stargazer snake eel

Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL

Classification	Actinopterygii \| Anguilliformes \| Ophichthidae \| Ophichthinae
Synonyms	Ophisurus cirrocheilos, Ophichthys cirrochilus, ... more
Common names	... more

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Image of Brachysomophis cirrocheilos (Stargazer snake eel)

Picture by Shao, K.T.

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Main reference

McCosker, J.E. and J.E. Randall. 2001. (Ref. 42180)
Other references | Biblio | Coordinator : McCosker, John | Collaborators

Size / Weight / Age

Max length : 159 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 42180)

Environment

Reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 38 m (Ref. 42180)

Climate / Range

Tropical; 39°N - 20°S, 35°E - 148°E (Ref. 42180)

Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Japan, Taiwan, New Guinea, Indonesia and Australia.
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Short description

Vertebrae: 135 - 140. Coloration pale, overlain dorsally and along flanks with irregular brown smudges. A moderately elongate species with tail 51-58% and head 11-14% of TL; dorsal fin arising well behind pectoral-fin tips; pectoral fins not elongate; snout moderate, about 3.2 in jaw; jaws elongate; lower jaw extending beyond snout; nostrils in very short tubes in upper lip and closely associated; labial fringe well-developed but cirri not elongate on jaws, with cauliflower-like projections at tips; center of eye behind anterior 40% of jaw; interorbital space and top of head flat, dorsal head profile nearly flat from mid-head to snout tip; head pores inconspicuous; free sensory neuromasts not visible on nape; teeth conical. Numerous prominent barbels on both lips; outer row of maxillary teeth not visible when are closed (Ref 42180).

Most commonly found in sand and mud, near coastal reefs at depths of 1 up to at least 10 m. Burrows into the sand tail-first until only its eyes and the top of its snout are visible. Sometimes seen with only its head or snout protruding from the sand. More commonly encountered at night but also seen with its head protruding out of the substrate during the day. Observed with cleaner shrimp Periclimenes magnificus on its head. The shrimp would swim off for short periods and then return to this species (Ref. 42180). Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 2334).


IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 57073)	Threat to humans
Not Evaluated	Harmless

Human uses


More information
Countries FAO areas Ecosystems Occurrences Introductions Ecology Diet Food items Food consumption Ration	Common names Synonyms Metabolism Predators Ecotoxicology Reproduction Maturity Spawning Eggs Egg development	Age/Size Growth Length-weight Length-length Length-frequencies Morphometrics Morphology Larvae Larval dynamics Recruitment	Other references Biblio Aquaculture Aquaculture profile Strains Genetics Allele frequencies Heritability Diseases Processing	Collaborators Pictures Stamps Sounds Ciguatera Speed Swim. type Gill area Otoliths Brains Vision

Tools
Biogeographic modelling \| E-book \| Field guide \| Identification keys \| Length-frequency wizard \| Life-history tool \| Point map

Special reports
Check for Aquarium maintenance \| Check for Species Fact Sheets \| Check for Aquaculture Fact Sheets

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Summary page \| Point data \| Common names \| Photos

Internet sources

Estimation of some characteristics with mathematical models

Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82805)

PD₅₀ = 0.5078

Resilience (Ref. 69278)

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)


Vulnerability (Ref. 59153)	Price category (Ref. 80766)
High to very high vulnerability (65 of 100)	Not marketed/unknown

Entered by Capuli, Estelita Emily

Modified by Torres, Armi G.

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Page last modified by : celloran, 20 January 2010

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