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Myrichthys magnificus (Abbott, 1860) Magnificent snake eel |
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photo by
Barrie, K. |
| Family: | Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae | |||
| Max. size: | 78 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range 1 - 262 m | |||
| Distribution: | Eastern Central Pacific: Hawaiian Islands, Johnston Island, the Leeward Islands, and Midway Atoll. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Vertebrae: 177-183. Body moderately elongate, depth 32-45 in TL; yellow to tan with brown to brownish-black spots, variable in size but about equal to or smaller than eye, the spots becoming more numerous in larger specimens. Pectoral fin length less than its base, about 2 in snout (Ref. 40867). | |||
| Biology: | Common in shallow water and occasionally at the surface over sand and coral (Ref. 40867). Benthic in crevices and on sandy or rocky substrata (Ref. 58302). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 November 2019 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||