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🌊 Marine 🌡️ Tropical

Chilka lake's snake eel

Ophichthus chilkensis Chaudhuri, 1916
Max Length
88.5 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4
Depth
25–30 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
41.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Overview information for Chilka lake's snake eel is currently being compiled by our editorial team.

Scientific Name
Ophichthus chilkensis
Authority
Chaudhuri, 1916
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Max Length
88.5 cm
Depth Range
25–30 m
Trophic Level
4
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
41.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Vertebrae: 218 - 222. This species is characterized by the following: body extremely elongated, subcircular posteriorly following the compressed tail portion, tail tip pointed and strong; depth at gill opening 74.3-92.8 in TL; pre-anal length 2.8-2.9 in TL, HL 18.3-20.4, tail 1.6; snout short, tip conical at dorsal view, ventral side not bisected by a groove; upper jaw moderate, rictus well behind posterior of eye orbit margin, eye moderate, at mid jaw, its length 11.8-16.7 in HL, 3.6-5.6 in upper jaw length; anterior nostril tubular, positioned toward ventrolaterally; posterior nostril a minute hole; single barbel on upper lip; dorsal-fin origin well behind pectoral-fin tip; pectoral fin short, tip rounded; shorter than jaw; its length 3.6-3.9 in HL; head pores are moderately conspicuous; a single median T and IO pores present; SO pores 1 + 4, first ethmoidal and three pores on snout dorsal surface and a pore between the interorbital space; IO pores 3 + 3, first located in middle of nostrils, second below the mid-eye, third and fourth behind eye orbit and 2 at ascendingly behind the eye; mandibular pores 5 and PO pores 2; LL pores conspicuous before anus; LL pores before gill opening 7-8, before dorsal-fin origin 13-14, before anus 71-74; teeth on jaw multiseries, small, pointed, and conical; intermaxillary with four teeth arranged in row; vomerine 2-3 rows anteriorly, three uniserial teeth posteriorly, extended beyond maxillary teeth row; maxillary and mandibular biserial, teeth size decreases posteriorly; vertebrae: pre-dorsal 12-13; pre-anal 72-73 and total 218-222 .Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Chilka lake's snake eel is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Chilka lake's snake eel is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Chilka lake's snake eel is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 25 - 30 m . Tropical Indian Ocean: Bay of Bengal.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
4±0.7

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00093 × L2.99 (TL)
Max TL
88.5cm
Vertebrae
220

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
41.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
4
Apex / Top predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Chaudhuri, 1916

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