Belly spotted snake eel
📖 Overview
Belly spotted snake eel (Ophichthus nigroventralis) is a ray-finned fish of the family Ophichthidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic, deep-water environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 42.3 cm. With a trophic level of 3.8, it is a mid-level predator.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Vertebrae: 131 - 134. This moderate elongated species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: dorsal-fin origin slightly behind the pectoral-fin tip; pectoral fin lanceolate, slightly shorter than the upper jaw in length; head length 6.7-7.5 in TL; pre-anal length 2.1-2.2 in TL; tail 1.9 in TL; head pores - SO 1 + 3, IO 4 + 2, POM 6 + 3; teeth small, conical and pointed; intermaxillary with a rosette of 10 teeth; vomer with 6 anterior teeth in irregular biserial rows, posterior teeth 11 in uniserial row; maxillary with 24-25 uniserial pointed teeth; in fresh, body yellowish-brown dorsally, whitish ventral, abdomen with numerous minute black pigmentation extends up to tail, pectoral fin whitish with brown base; pre-dorsal vertebrae 17-18; pre-anal vertebrae 53-54; total vertebrae 131-134 .Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Belly spotted snake eel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 400 m . Deep-water Indian Ocean: India.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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