| Ophichthidae Temporal range: Early Eocene–Recent [1] |
|
|---|---|
| Tiger snake eel, Myrichthys maculosus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Superorder: | Elopomorpha |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Ophichthidae |
| Subfamilies | |
|
Myrophinae |
|
Ophichthidae is a family of eels, comprising species commonly called worm eels and snake eels. The term "Ophichthidae" comes from Greek ophis ("serpent") and ichthys ("fish").
Ophichthids are found worldwide in tropical to warm temperate waters. They inhabit a wide range of habitats, from coastal shallows, and even rivers, to depths of above 750 metres (2,460 ft). Most species are bottom dwellers, hiding in mud or sand to capture their prey of crustaceans and small fish, but some are pelagic.[2]
Ophichthid species range from 10 centimetres (3.9 in) to 3 metres (9.8 ft) in length. Many species lack fins altogether, improving their ability to burrow into the substrate like worms. They are often spotted or striped in colour, mimicking the appearance of venomous sea snakes to deter predators.[2] Often will be washed ashore by large storms.
The family Ophichthidae is the largest and most diverse of the families of eels, containing around 300 species in over 50 genera:
Family Ophichthidae