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Phyllophichthus xenodontus Gosline, 1951 Flappy snake-eel |
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photo by
Allen, G.R. |
| Family: | Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae | |||
| Max. size: | 42 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 8 - 30 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Hawaii and the Society Islands; north to Ryukyu Islands; south to Australia; East Indies, from Christmas Island and Indonesia (Flores and Molucca Is.). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Vertebrae: 157-179. Description: Characterized by greyish color, grading to white ventrally; tiny white spots surrounding sensory pores; head length 10.7 in TL; depth of body about 40 in TL; dorsal fin origin above middle of pectoral fin; snout pointed and overhanging with very broad nasal flap; small, sharp and uniserial teeth on jaws; biserial intermaxillary teeth; vomer without teeth (Ref. 90102). | |||
| Biology: | A benthic (Ref. 58302) and burrowing species which occurs in inshore waters (Ref. 7300, 75154). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 November 2019 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||