Crocodile Snake Eel

Brachysomophis crocodilinus is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels). It was described by Edward Turner Bennett in 1833. The species epithet "crocodilinus", as well as the common name, refer to the species' crocodilian appearance. The Crocodile snake eel is used in Chinese medicine.

Description

Males can reach a maximum total length of 120 centimetres. Dorsal fin arising well behind pectoral tips. Pectoral fins are teardrop-shaped. Snout is very short. Jaws are elongate. Anterior nostril is in a very short tube in upper lip, closely followed by an ethmoidal pore, a barbel, and the posterior nostril which is in outer lip and entirely covered by a flap. Labial cirri are numerous, unbranched and slender in anterior half of lip of mandible, those posterior and along lower lip branched at tips. Flesh above and behind eye is laterally elevated as a ridge. Dorsal head profile is notably incised and medially constricted behind eyes, the flesh forming a narrow transverse ridge behind dorsal margin of eyes. Head pores and lateral-line pores are apparent. Free sensory neuromasts are visible as rows of small white spots on nape. Teeth are conical. Lateral-line pores and temporal pores typically in dark spots; smaller dark spots present irregularly on flank between lateral line and dorsal fin of larger specimens; brownish, lighter below and on fins. Eye is small, colored like the head, and placed towards the front of the long reddish mouth. Vertebrae: 116 - 124.

Distribution

It is a tropical, marine eel which is known from the Indo-Pacific, including East Africa, the Society Islands, Japan, and Australia.

Habitat

It dwells at a depth range of 0–30 metres (most often at around 0–2 m), and inhabits coral reefs. It forms burrows in sand and lies in wait to ambush prey, leaving only its eyes exposed. Its diet consists of octopuses, species of Calcarina, and finfish.