Animal Species:Purplebanded Snake Eel, Ophichthus bonaparti (Kaup, 1856)

Identification

The Purplebanded Snake Eel can be recognised by the pattern of orange and brown marbling and spots on the head and 18 to 27 brown saddles across the body.

Size range

The species grows to 112 cm in length.

Distribution

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Purplebanded Snake Eel specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The Purplebanded Snake Eel lives in burrows in soft inshore seabeds. It is sometimes seen by divers during the day, but will disappear down its burrow if approached too quickly.

Classification

Species:

bonaparti

Genus:

Ophichthus

Family:

Ophichthidae

Order:

Anguilliformes

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

References

1. Anon, 1999. Coral Realm Species Profiles [online] http://www.coralrealm.com/sample4.html
2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
3. Masuda, H., K. Amaoka, C. Araga, T. Uyeno & T. Yoshino. 1984. The Fishes of the Japanese Archipelago. Tokai University Press. Vols 1-3. Pp. 456. Pls. 1-378.
4. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.

 

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 17 May 2013

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Purplebanded Snake Eel, Ophichthus bonaparti, Ophichthidae, eel, complex pattern, orange, brown, dots/spots, > 1m, inshore water, shy, marine,