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Updated 8/13/2023

Family Ophichtyidae

Snake Eels

Snake eels have elongate cylindrical bodies with a sharp tail used for burrowing backward into sand, rubble, or crevices.  They have small pectoral fins, short marginal fins, and swim with a snake-like action.  Several species occur in Hawai'i but remain hidden most of the time. 

 

HAWAII - ENDEMIC

Myrichthys magnificus

Myrichthys magnificus

MAGNIFICENT SNAKE EEL

 

 Callechelys lutea 

Callechelys lutea

MOTTLED SNAKE EEL

 
Ophichthus fowleri 

Ophichthus fowleri

FOWLER'S SNAKE EEL

 

 

INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

Leiuranus semicinctus

Leiuranus semicinctus

SADDLED SNAKE EEL

 

Myrichthys colubrinus

HARLEQUIN SNAKE EEL

 

Callechelys marmorata

Callechelys marmorata

MARBLED SNAKE EEL

 

Brachysomophis henshawi

Brachysomophis henshawi.

REPTILIAN SNAKE EEL

Apterichtus klazingai

Apterichtus klazingai

FRECKLED SNAKE EEL

 

Apterichtus flavicaudus

YELLOWTAIL SNAKE EEL

 

Phyllopichthus xenodontus

LONG-NOSTRIL SNAKE EEL

 

Ophichthus polyophthalmus

OCELLATED SNAKE EEL