Crocodile snake eel

The crocodile snake eel (Brachysomophis crocodilinus) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).[2] It was described by Edward Turner Bennett in 1833.[3] It is a tropical, marine eel which is known from the Indo-Pacific, including East Africa, the Society Islands, Japan, and Australia. Males can reach a maximum total length of 120 centimetres. It dwells at a depth range of 0–30 metres (most often at around 0–2 m), and inhabits coral reefs. It forms burrows in sand and lies in wait to ambush prey, leaving only its eyes exposed.[2] Its diet consists of octopuses, species of Calcarina, and finfish.[4]

Crocodile snake eel
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Ophichthidae
Genus: Brachysomophis
Species:
B. crocodilinus
Binomial name
Brachysomophis crocodilinus
(Bennett, 1833)
Synonyms[1]
  • Ophisurus crocodilinus Bennett, 1833
  • Ophichthys crocodilinus (Bennett, 1833)
  • Brachysonophis crocodilinus (Bennett, 1833)
  • Brachysomophis horridus Kaup, 1856
  • Achirophichthys typus Bleeker, 1864
  • Brachysomophis sauropsis Schultz, 1943

The species epithet "crocodilinus", as well as the common name, refer to the species' crocodilian appearance. The crocodile snake eel is used in Chinese medicine.[2]

References
  1. Synonyms of Brachysomophis crocodilinus at www.fishbase.org.
  2. Brachysomophis crocodilinus at www.fishbase.org.
  3. Bennett, E. T., 1833 (17 May) [ref. 16786] Characters of new species from the Mauritius. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1833 (pt 1): 32.
  4. Food items reported for Brachysomophis crocodilinus at www.fishbase.org.


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