Convict Snake Eel

Adults become banded with a thin white bar in the middle of each band.Description: Characterized by bold pattern of alternating black and white bars, black bars about twice width of white bars, frequently split dorsally by narrow yellowish line; head length about 13 in TL; body depth about 46 in TL; head and trunk slightly shorter than tail; with pectoral fins; low dorsal fin, origin above middle of pectoral fin; short tube anterior nostril; posterior nostril opposite front edge of eye; projecting upper jaw beyond lower jaw; uniserial jaw teeth or irregular biserial at middle of upper jaw; intermaxillary with about nine teeth (Ref. 90102).

A burrowing species of inshore, soft bottom areas (Ref. 7300, 75154).

The Convict snake eel (Leiuranus versicolor) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels). It was described by John Richardson in 1848. It is a tropical, marine eel which is known from the Pacific Ocean, including Palau, Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Norfolk Island. It dwells at a depth range of 3–18 metres, and forms burrows in the soft bottoms of inshore regions. Males can reach a maximum total length of 75.4 centimetres.