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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Tropical 🎣 Game Fish

King snake eel

Ophichthus rex Böhlke & Caruso, 1980
← All Species
Max Length
211 cm
Max Weight
23.6 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4.3
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
74.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

King snake eel (Ophichthus rex) is a ray-finned fish of the family Ophichthidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 211 cm. With a trophic level of 4.3, it is an apex predator. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Valued as a sport fish.

Scientific Name
Ophichthus rex
Authority
Böhlke & Caruso, 1980
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
211 cm
Max Weight
23.6 kg
Trophic Level
4.3
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
74.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Very large, TL 2.4 m; dorsal fin origin well behind tip of pectoral fin; 14-15 dark olive-brown, saddle-shaped markings along back. Dorsal and anal fins striped at bases, pectoral fin darker on dorsal half .: eel-like.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for King snake eel is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

small fish
crustaceans
cephalopods

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous

Oviparous .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 64 m . Tropical; 26°N - 29°N, 98°W - 81°W

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
4.3±0.7

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00093 × L2.99 (TL)
Max TL
211cm
Max Weight
23,600g

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2011

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Very low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
74.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.3
Apex / Top predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Böhlke & Caruso, 1980

🎣 Angling Guide

Difficulty
Beginner
Fight Rating
strong pulls with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
incoming tide, dawn and dusk
Line Weight
15-30
Rod Type
medium-heavy spinning
Hook Size
2/0-5/0
Catch & Release
✓ Recommended
Best Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Techniques
bottom fishing popping cork soft plastics live bait
Bait & Lures
live shrimp cut mullet soft plastic paddle-tails popping corks
Recommended Tackle
  • medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
  • 30-50 lb braid
  • fluorocarbon leader
Where to Find Them
  • grass flats
  • oyster bars
  • marsh drains
  • deeper channel edges
Tips & Tricks
Popping cork technique attracts fish from distance. Fish moving tides.
Catch & Release Tips

Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.

Regulations Summary

⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Keoghfish · king snake eel · Snake Eel
🌍CES hadař královský
🇵🇹Portuguese Falsa-moréia-rei
🇪🇸Spanish lairón · Tieso Lairón

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 30 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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View all observations for King snake eel ↗
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