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🌊 Marine Data Deficient 🌡️ Subtropical

Plain snake-eel

Ophichthus unicolor Regan, 1908
← All Species
Max Length
30 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.7
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
22.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Plain snake-eel (Ophichthus unicolor) 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 30 cm. With a trophic level of 3.7, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Ophichthus unicolor
Authority
Regan, 1908
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
IUCN Status
DD
Max Length
30 cm
Trophic Level
3.7
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
22.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Uniformly brownish when preserved .: eel-like.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Plain snake-eel is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal. Subtropical Southeast Atlantic: known only from Algoa Bay, South Africa.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.7±0.6

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00093 × L2.99 (TL)
Max TL
30cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Data Deficient
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
22.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.7
Predator
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Regan, 1908

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