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Spotted snake eel (Quassiremus polyclitellum) — Ophichthidae

Spotted snake eel

Quassiremus polyclitellum
Family: Ophichthidae

The Spotted snake eel (Quassiremus polyclitellum) is a saltwater fish of the family Ophichthidae that grows up to 80 cm.

Length
79.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
35.0–58.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The spotted snake eel is a snake eel (Ophichthidae) from shallow sandy and coastal water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a very slender, eel-like, pale body with rows of dark spots and a hard, pointed tail with which it burrows backwards into sand. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it lies hidden by day and hunts small fish and crustaceans at night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted snake eel?

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

Where does the Spotted snake eel live?

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

How big does the Spotted snake eel get?

The Spotted snake eel grows to a maximum of about 80 cm.

Is the Spotted snake eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted snake eel is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vlek-slangaal sourced
English name
Spotted snake eel sourced
Scientific name
Quassiremus polyclitellum
Family
Ophichthidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
79.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
35.0 verified
Max depth (m)
58.0 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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