Ophichthus serpentinus Seale, 1917
photo by SFSA

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  68 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 235 - 490 m
Distribution:  Southeast Atlantic: Namibia and South Africa
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 162-167. This moderately elongate species of Ophichthus, subgenus Coecilophis is distinguished by the following characters: tail 62.5%, head 6.4-6.8% of total length, body depth behind gill openings 2.8-2.9% of TL; origin of dorsal-fin 2-3 pectoral-fin lengths behind pectoral base; pectoral fin rounded; posterior margin of orbit ahead of rictus; small head pores, SO 1+4, IO 4+2, POM 2+6; small, conical teeth, biserial on maxillary, uniserial on mandible, biserial anteriorly and uniserial posteriorly on vomer; yellow in color, darker dorsally, fins pale; mean vertebral formula 18/62/165, total vertebrae 162-167 (Ref. 84366).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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