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Redsaddled snake eel (Quassiremus nothochir) — Ophichthidae

Redsaddled snake eel

Quassiremus nothochir
Family: Ophichthidae

The Redsaddled snake eel (Quassiremus nothochir) is a saltwater fish of the family Ophichthidae that grows up to 70 cm.

Length
70 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The redsaddled snake eel is a snake eel (Ophichthidae) from coastal waters of the eastern Pacific, off Central and South America. The species grows to about 70 cm and has an elongate, snake-shaped, pale body with a row of red-brown saddle blotches and a pointed tail tip with which it burrows backwards into sand. As a burrowing bottom-dweller it lies buried by day and hunts small fish and crustaceans at night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Redsaddled snake eel?

The Redsaddled snake eel has a snake-like body, is mainly white and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Redsaddled snake eel live?

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

How big does the Redsaddled snake eel get?

The Redsaddled snake eel grows to a maximum of about 70 cm.

Is the Redsaddled snake eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Redsaddled snake eel is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roodzadel-slangaal sourced
English name
Redsaddled snake eel sourced
Scientific name
Quassiremus nothochir
Family
Ophichthidae
Other names
Smallfish snake-eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
70.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 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
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 Quassiremus

More from the family Ophichthidae

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