Saddled snake-eel
📖 Overview
Occurs in sandy areas and seagrass beds of both lagoon and seaward reefs. Uses its stiff pointed tail to rapidly burrow backwards into the sand when frightened . Benthic . Feeds on sand-dwelling fishes and crabs and prawns. Sometimes fully exposed when searching for prey . Rises to the surface to spawn .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0; Vertebrae: 162 - 171. White to yellow with 25-30 black saddles . : eel-like; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Saddled snake-eel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Rises to the surface to spawn. Once there, one or more males may seize a female by the back of the neck and remain attached for hours before spawning occurs.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 10 m , usually 0 - 10 m . Tropical; 40°N - 40°S East Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Mangaréva islands, north to southern Japan, south to northern New South Wales, Australia.
🌿 Ecology
sand-dwelling fishes and crabs and prawns
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 20 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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