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Blacksaddle snake eel (Callechelys catostoma) — Ophichthidae

Blacksaddle snake eel

Callechelys catostoma
Family: Ophichthidae

The Blacksaddle snake eel (Callechelys catostoma) is a saltwater fish of the family Ophichthidae that grows up to 85 cm.

Length
85 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–32.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Blacksaddle snake eel is a snake eel (Ophichthidae) from shallow sand and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate, eel-like, pale body with a pointed, hard tail tip with which it burrows backwards into the bottom. As a bottom-dweller it lives largely buried, sometimes projecting its head, and snaps at small fish, crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blacksaddle snake eel?

The Blacksaddle snake eel has a snake-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Blacksaddle snake eel live?

The Blacksaddle snake eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Blacksaddle snake eel get?

The Blacksaddle snake eel grows to a maximum of about 85 cm.

Is the Blacksaddle snake eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Blacksaddle snake eel is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartzadel-slangaal sourced
English name
Blacksaddle snake eel sourced
Scientific name
Callechelys catostoma
Family
Ophichthidae
Other names
Blackstriped snake eel; Black-striped snake eel; Dark band snake eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
85.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
32.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Callechelys

More from the family Ophichthidae

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