Serpent eel (Ophisurus serpens) fish species and information / pictures of Serpent eel - Ophisurus serpens

Serpent eel (Ophisurus serpens) fish species information

Scientific Name
Ophisurus serpens

Common Name
Serpent eel

Biology
Body olive green to brown above, paler below; head pores black; young silvery (Ref. 3972).

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Eels and Morays (Anguilliformes)

Family

Snake eels (Ophichthidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Atlantic

Distribution

Eastern Atlantic: northern coast of Iberian peninsula to South Africa, also Madeira and western Mediterranean. Western Indian Ocean: southern Mozambique to South Africa. Western Pacific: Japan and Australasia.

Range

40°N - 35°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

300 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range ? - 300 m (Ref. 9563)

Trophic Level

4.12 s.e. 0.66 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

250 cm

Common Length

100.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Very high vulnerability (76 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated