The bright-coloured ribbon eel (16) is aptly named. Although the head is roughly cylindrical, its body is thin and ribbon-like. Unlike most morays, it lives in sandy burrows. It is usually seen protruding its head and up to about one-third of the body length outside the burrow. Aside from coloration and shape, the most distinguishing feature is the enormously expanded nostrils, which form a membranous scoop-like structure. If threatened, for example when closely approached by a diver, the eel swiftly retreats into its burrow, waiting several minutes before emerging.
PLATE 9: SNAKE EELS AND CONGER EELS
1 BLACK-EDGED CONGER
Conger cinereus Rüppell, 1830
Inhabits coral reef crevices; distinguished by well developed pectoral fins, relatively tall, black-edged dorsal and anal fins, and diagonal dark band behind mouth; found throughout the region; Indo-C. Pacific; to 103 cm. (CONGRIDAE)
2 MARBLED SNAKE-EEL
Callechelys marmoratus (Bleeker, 1853)
Inhabits sand bottoms near coral reefs; distinguished by dense pattern of irregular black spots; N.W. Australia, E. Queensland, and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-C. Pacific; to 57 cm. (OPHICHTHIDAE)
3 STARGAZER SNAKE-EEL
Brachysomophis cirrocheilos (Bleeker, 1857)
Inhabits sand bottoms, often with only eyes protruding above surface; distinguished by upward directed eyes near tip of snout, fringe of skin tentacles on lips, fang-like teeth in jaws and roof of mouth, and overall pale colour; N.W. Australia, E. Queensland, and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-W. Pacific; to 125 cm. (OPHICHTHIDAE)
4 SLENDER WORM-EEL
Muraenichthys gymnotus Bleeker, 1857
Inhabits sand bottoms near coral reefs; distinguished by small worm-like body, olive coloured back, pale belly and lack of pectoral fins; found throughout the region; Indo-C. Pacific; to 17 cm. (OPHICHTHIDAE)
5 FRINGE-LIPPED SNAKE-EEL
Cirrhimuraena calamus (Gunther, 1870)
Inhabits sand bottoms; distinguished by fringe of skin tentacles on upper lip, small pectoral fin, brownish colour of back, and abrupt transition to pale on lower half; W. Australia only from Geographe Bay northwards; to 62 cm. (OPHICHTHIDAE)
6 CULVERIN
Leiuranus semicinctus (Lay & Bennett, 1839)
Inhabits sand bottoms; distinguished by series of black saddles on upper two-thirds of body; found throughout the region; Indo-C. Pacific; to 60 cm. (OPHICHTHIDAE)
7 HARLEQUIN SNAKE-EEL
Myrichthys colubrinus (Boddaert, 1781)
Inhabits sand bottoms; similar to 6 above, but black bars completely or nearly encircle body; N.W. Australia, E. Queensland, and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-C. Pacific; to 88 cm. (OPHICHTHIDAE)
8 FLAPPY SNAKE-EEL
Phyllophichthus xenodontus Gosline, 1951
Inhabits sand bottoms near reefs; distinguished by long pointed snout, leaf-like skin flap at each anterior nostril (near snout tip), and small pectoral fins; found throughout the region; N.W. Australia, E. Queensland, and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-C. Pacific; to 42 cm. (OPHICHTHIDAE)
9 ONE-BANDED SNAKE-EEL
Ophichthus cephalozona Bleeker, 1864
Inhabits sand bottoms; distinguished by white-edged black saddle on middle of head; N.W. Australia, E. Queensland, and throughout S.E. Asia; mainly W. Pacific; to 80 cm. (OPHICHTHIDAE)
10 OLIVE SNAKE-EEL
Ophichthus rutiodermatoides (Bleeker, 1853)
Inhabits sand bottoms; distinguished by non-descript pattern, pointed snout, pointed teeth, and pectoral fin base on upper half of gill opening; N.W. Australia and Indonesia; mainly Indo-Australian Archipelago; to 68 cm. (OPHICHTHIDAE)
11 BLACK-FINNED SNAKE-EEL
Ophichthus melanochir Bleeker, 1865
Inhabits sand bottoms near coral reefs; distinguished by black edge on dorsal fin, also pectoral fins sometimes entirely or partly black; N.W. Australia and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-C. Pacific; to 80 cm. (OPHICHTHIDAE)
12 ESTUARY SNAKE-EEL
Pisodonophis boro (Hamilton, 1822)
Inhabits sand or mud bottoms, often in estuaries or freshwater streams; distinguished by non-descript pattern, granular teeth, pectoral fin broad-based (not restricted to upper half of gill opening), and dorsal fin begins behind end of pectoral fins; N.W. Australia and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-W. Pacific; to 100 cm.
13 BURROWING SNAKE-EEL
Pisodonophis cancrivorous (Richardson, 1848)
Inhabits sand bottoms distinguished by blunt snout (jaws equal in length) granular teeth, pectoral fin broad-based, and dorsal fin begins above pectoral fins; N.W. Australia, E. Queensland, and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-C. Pacific; to 75 cm. (OPHICHTHIDAE)
14 CHINGILT
Yirrkala lumbricoides (Bleeker, 1864)
Inhabits sand bottoms near coral reefs; distinguished by slender worm-like body; moderately long pointed snout; dorsal fin begins above gill openings, no pectoral fins, and anus about midway between snout and tip of tail; found throughout the region; lndo-W. Pacific; to 44 cm. (OPHICHTHIDAE)
15 VULTURE EEL
Icththyapus vulturis Weber & de Beaufort, 1916 Inhabits sand bottoms near coral reefs; distinguished by general pale colouration, long pointed snout, very small eye and no pectoral fins; N.W. Australia and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-C. Pacific; to 50 cm. (OPHICHTHIDAE)
SNAKE EELS
All of the species on this plate, except no. 1, are members of the family Ophichthidae known as snake eels. Although they are very common, most people, including keen anglers, are unaware of their presence. This is because they spend most of the time buried in the sand. Most of the species have a pointed snout to aid in burrowing. In addition, many have a bony, sharp tail and are equally adept at burrowing forward or backward. The diet of most snake eels consists of small fishes, crabs, and prawns.
A few species particularly, those with banded patterns, are sometimes mistaken for sea snakes, but they are easily distinguished by the lack of scales and possession of a pointed tail (paddle-like in snakes).
The Black-edged Conger Eel (1) belongs to the family Congridae. It is found in rocky areas and amongst coral reef crevices. In some parts of the Indo-Pacific region its flesh is considered a delicacy. Neither conger or snake eels are dangerous.
PLATE 10: SNAKE EELS
