Bengal eel (Ophisternon bengalense) fish species and information / pictures of Bengal eel - Ophisternon bengalense

Bengal eel (Ophisternon bengalense) fish species information

Scientific Name
Ophisternon bengalense

Common Name
Bengal eel

Biology
Adults inhabit both fresh and brackish waters of rivers and swamps (Ref. 2847, 44894) or near the river mouth (Ref. 13533). They occur mainly in thick vegetation of muddy, still water bodies, such as lagoons, swamps, canals and rice fields (Ref. 6028). Live in soft bottom sediments in quiet, well vegetated backwaters of brackish estuaries and nearby swamps (Ref. 44894), usually in burrows. Prefer estuarine or tidal areas, as efficient burrowers. The male guards and builds nest or burrow (Ref. 205). Marketed fresh, usually not kept alive for long periods of time (Ref. 12693).

Classification

Classified By

McClelland, 1844

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Spiny eels (Synbranchiformes)

Family

Swamp-eels (Synbranchidae)

Distribution

Region

Asia and Oceania

Distribution

Asia and Oceania: India and Sri Lanka to south-eastern Asia, Indonesia, Philippines and New Guinea. Recorded from Australia (Ref. 7300) and Palau (Ref. 6371).

Range

19°N - 10°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; demersal

Trophic Level

3.27 s.e. 0.34 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

100.0 cm

Common Length

20.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5156 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (42 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)