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Longnosed snake eel (Ophisurus macrorhynchos) — Ophichthidae

Longnosed snake eel

Ophisurus macrorhynchos
Family: Ophichthidae

The Longnosed snake eel (Ophisurus macrorhynchos) is a saltwater fish of the family Ophichthidae that grows up to 207 cm.

Length
207 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Japan, Korea (South)
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The longnosed snake eel is a large snake eel (Ophichthidae) from shallow sand and mud water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 1.4 metres and has a very slender, eel-like, pale body with a strikingly long, pointed, beak-like snout and a hard tail tip with which it burrows into the bottom. As a bottom-dweller it lies largely buried and seizes passing small fish and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longnosed snake eel?

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

Where does the Longnosed snake eel live?

The Longnosed snake eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China, Japan, Korea (South)

How big does the Longnosed snake eel get?

The Longnosed snake eel grows to a maximum of about 207 cm. On average the species is around 60 cm.

Is the Longnosed snake eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Longnosed snake eel is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Longnosed snake eel edible?

Yes, the Longnosed snake eel is commonly eaten.

More photos

Longnosed snake eel (Ophisurus macrorhynchos) — Ophichthidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) akio.suzuki, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longnosed snake eel (Ophisurus macrorhynchos) — Ophichthidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) dragon_k, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longnosed snake eel (Ophisurus macrorhynchos) — Ophichthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) bananyasan_0728, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longnosed snake eel (Ophisurus macrorhynchos) — Ophichthidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) youmu, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Longnosed snake eel sourced
Scientific name
Ophisurus macrorhynchos
Family
Ophichthidae

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
207 verified
Average length (cm)
60 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: China, Japan, Korea (South) sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Ophisurus

More from the family Ophichthidae

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