Crocodile snake eel
📖 Overview
Generally found in shallow lagoon sand, rock and broken coral substrates at depths of 0-2 m . Benthic , occurs in sandy bottoms from intertidal to over 12 m.; remains buried in sand with only the eyes protruding where it waits to ambush fish and octopuses . Used in Chinese medicine .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Vertebrae: 116 - 124. Diagnosis: Dorsal fin arising well behind pectoral tips; pectoral fins teardrop-shaped; snout very short; jaws elongate; anterior nostril in a very short tube in upper lip, closely followed by an ethmoidal pore, a barbel, and the posterior nostril which is in outer lip and entirely covered by a flap; labial cirri numerous, unbranched and slender in anterior half of lip of mandible, those posterior and along lower lip branched at tips; flesh above and behind eye laterally elevated as a ridge; dorsal head profile notably incised and medially constricted behind eyes, the flesh forming a narrow transverse ridge behind dorsal margin of eyes; head pores and lateral-line pores apparent; free sensory neuromasts visible as rows of small white spots on nape; teeth conical . Lateral-line pores and temporal pores typically in dark spots; smaller dark spots present irregularly on flank between lateral line and dorsal fin of larger specimens . Eye small, coloured like the head, and placed towards the front of the long mouth . : eel-like; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Crocodile snake eel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 30 m , usually 0 - 2 m . Tropical East Africa in Tanzania, Seychelles and Mauritius (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Crocodile Snake-eel · Crocodile snake eel · Henshaw's Snake Eel · Reptilian Snake Eel |
| 🌍CES | hadař krokodýlí |
| 🇫🇷French | Anguille-serpent crocodile |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Tatsumihebi · タツウミヘビ |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Крокодиловый брахисомофис |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Tieso cocodrilo |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 硬骨仔 · 硬骨篡 · 篡仔 · 鰻仔 · 鱷形短體蛇鰻 · 鱷形短體鰻 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Achirophichthys typus | Bleeker | 1864 | Synonym |
| Brachysomophis crocodilus | Bennett | 1833 | Synonym |
| Brachysomophis horridus | Kaup | 1856 | Synonym |
| Brachysomophis sauropsis | Schultz | 1943 | Synonym |
| Brachysonophis crocodilinus | Bennett | 1833 | Synonym |
| Ophichthys crocodilinus | Bennett | 1833 | Synonym |
| Ophisurus crocodilinus | Bennett | 1833 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .
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