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Image of Spotted snake eel
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Spotted Snake Eel

Myrichthys maculosus (Cuvier 1816)

Diagnostic Description

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Pale cream in color with variable pattern of large and small black spots with narrower white interspaces (Ref. 3972, 48635). Young with black saddles (Ref. 3972). Its behavior is similar to Myrichthys colubrinus and Leiuranus semicinctus.Description: Characterized by head length 12-15 in TL; body depth 33-46 in TL; tail 1.7 in TL; pectoral fin shorter than its base; dorsal fin origin anterior to gill opening; blunt teeth in two rows in jaws (Ref. 90102).
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Recorder
Cristina V. Garilao
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Morphology

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Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 0; Vertebrae: 185 - 189
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Cristina V. Garilao
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Trophic Strategy

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Often in sandy and gravel areas near rocky reefs. Found in sandy areas of reef flats, lagoons, and seaward reefs; living buried in the sand. May aggregate in large numbers under a light at night (Ref. 9710). Sometimes fully exposed when searching for prey (Ref. 30874). A carnivore (Ref. 9137).
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Drina Sta. Iglesia
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Biology

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Found in sandy areas of reef flats, lagoons, and seaward reefs; living buried in the sand. May aggregate in large numbers under a light at night (Ref. 9710). Sometimes fully exposed when searching for prey (Ref. 30874). Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 89972). Solitary and more common at night (Ref 90102).
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Rainer Froese
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Importance

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aquarium: commercial
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cc-by-nc
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FishBase
Recorder
Rainer Froese
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase