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Blackspotted snake eel (Quassiremus ascensionis) — Ophichthidae

Blackspotted snake eel

Quassiremus ascensionis
Family: Ophichthidae

The Blackspotted snake eel (Quassiremus ascensionis) is a saltwater fish of the family Ophichthidae that grows up to 71 cm.

Length
71 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–12.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The blackspotted snake eel is a snake eel (Ophichthidae) from coastal waters of the Atlantic, around island groups. The species grows to about 71 cm and has a slender, yellowish, snake-shaped body with two rows of round black spots and a pointed, hard tail tip. As a bottom-dweller it burrows tail-first into sand and rubble bottoms near reefs and protrudes only its head to snap at small crustaceans and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackspotted snake eel?

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

Where does the Blackspotted snake eel live?

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

How big does the Blackspotted snake eel get?

The Blackspotted snake eel grows to a maximum of about 71 cm.

Is the Blackspotted snake eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackspotted snake eel is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartstip-slangaal sourced
English name
Blackspotted snake eel sourced
Scientific name
Quassiremus ascensionis
Family
Ophichthidae
Other names
Blackspotted Snake Eel; Blackspotted snake eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
71.0 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
Max depth (m)
12.0 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
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 Quassiremus

More from the family Ophichthidae

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