Teleostei (teleosts) >
Anguilliformes (Eels and morays) >
Ophichthidae (Snake eels) > Myrophinae
Etymology: Myrophis: Greek, myros, -ou = male of morey eel + Greek, ophis = serpent (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Cope.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; brackish; demersal. Tropical
Eastern Atlantic: Senegal to Congo. Western Atlantic: Suriname, French Guiana, south to Brazil (Ref. 26938).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 46.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4455); common length : 35.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4455)
Pale tan to gray with tiny black spots, abruptly darker above. Dorsal fin origin closer to gill opening than to anus (Ref. 26938).
Body shape (shape guide): eel-like.
Burrows in mud or sand in shallow waters of bays and estuaries (Ref. 4455). Inshore brackish and freshwater (Ref. 26938).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Leiby, M., 1990. Ophichthidae. p. 176-192. In J.C. Quero, J.C. Hureau, C. Karrer, A. Post and L. Saldanha (eds.) Check-list of the fishes of the eastern tropical Atlantic (CLOFETA). JNICT, Lisbon; SEI, Paris; and UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 1. (Ref. 4455)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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