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Marbled snake eel (Callechelys marmorata) — Ophichthidae

Marbled snake eel

Callechelys marmorata
Family: Ophichthidae

The Marbled snake eel (Callechelys marmorata) is a saltwater fish of the family Ophichthidae that grows up to 87 cm.

Length
87 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–37.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The marbled snake eel is a snake eel (Ophichthidae) from coastal and reef-lagoon water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 87 cm and has a very slender, snake-shaped, pale-yellow body with numerous dark spots and strongly reduced fins. As a burrowing bottom-dweller it lies buried in soft sand by day, sometimes with only the head showing, and hunts small fish and crustaceans at night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Marbled snake eel?

The Marbled snake eel has a snake-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Marbled snake eel live?

The Marbled snake eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Marbled snake eel get?

The Marbled snake eel grows to a maximum of about 87 cm.

Is the Marbled snake eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Marbled snake eel is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gemarmerde slangaal sourced
English name
Marbled snake eel sourced
Scientific name
Callechelys marmorata
Family
Ophichthidae
Other names
Marbled snake eel; Marbled snake-eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
87.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
37.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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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