© Susan PriorCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist
Banded Snake Eel
Leiuranus semicinctus
Napoleon Snake Eel (pale)
Ophichthus bonaparti
- Max size
- View in app
- Max depth
- 20 m
- Found in
- 38 regions
How to recognise it
- Colours
- whitebrownyellow
- Body shape
- Anguilliform
- Pattern
- Blotches or dots
Ophichthus bonaparti is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels). It was described by Johann Jakob Kaup in 1856, originally under the genus Poecilocephalus.
Description
Males can reach a maximum total length of 75 centimetres (30 in). It is golden yellow to cream with 18-27 prominent black saddles, a few meeting below. Dorsal and anal margin with irregular spots and golden marbling and spots on snout and head. Body is broadly banded with black and white. Vertebrae: 156 - 164.
Distribution
It is a marine, tropical eel which is known from the Indo-Pacific, including Durban, South Africa, Mauritius, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, and the Penghu Islands.
Habitat
It is known to dwell at a depth of 20 metres (66 ft), and inhabits lagoons and reefs; it forms solitary burrows in sand sediments.
Similar species
© Susan PriorCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist 
© Dan SchofieldCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist
Crocodile Snake Eel
Brachysomophis crocodilinus
© Julien RenoultCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist
Giant Snake Eel
Ophisurus serpens
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Highfin Snake Eel
Ophichthus altipennis
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Longfin Snake Eel
Pisodonophis cancrivorus
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Marbled Snake Eel
Callechelys marmorata
Questions
Is Napoleon Snake Eel (pale) dangerous?
Napoleon Snake Eel (pale) has no known danger to humans. However, always observe marine life responsibly.
Where can you find Napoleon Snake Eel (pale)?
How deep does Napoleon Snake Eel (pale) live?
Napoleon Snake Eel (pale) can be found at depths of up to 20 meters.
