Ophichthus nguyenorum
Ophichthus nguyenorum Vo, Hibino & Ho, 2025
Darked long-body snake eel

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  97.6 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 10 - 20 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Vietnam.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 190-196. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: snout rather pointed but occipital strongly convex (duck shaped); body with numerous longitudinal wrinkles, weak on posterior abdomen; head 5.4-6.2% TL; preanal length 31.4-33.5% TL; tail 66.5-68.6% TL; snout length 14.6-16.4% HL; one protrusion along upper lip (rarely 2 on one side); dorsal-fin origin slightly behind pectoral-fin tip; SO 1 + 3, POM 5 or 6 + 2; all teeth small and sharp; teeth on maxilla in one row anteriorly but increasing posteriorly; teeth on mandible biserial; dark body, usually including abdomen; dorsal fin darker with dark margin; anal fin initially pale but darkening towards tip; total vertebrae 190-196, MVF 15-62-192 (Ref. 133101).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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