Banded Snake Eel

Myrichthys colubrinus, most commonly known as the banded snake eel, but is also referred to as the ringed snake eel or harlequin eel, is of the order of Anguiliformes. Anguiliformes include fishes that have long tubular body shapes. M. colubrinus is from the family Ophichthidae. Ophichthidae is one of the most ecologically diverse families present in the Anguiliformes order. Ophicthidae makes up approximately 260 species with 50 different genera. Animals from this family are commonly referred to as snake eels or worm eels due to their extended body shape, narrow heads and lack of defined fins, except for the large dorsal fin that runs down most of the length of their bodies and small pectoral fins. They are also notable for having particularly sharp and hard snouts and tails to support a burrowing lifestyle. Due to the fact that there are so many individuals within this family, identification can be challenging. This is especially notable when the eels are in their larval form. Many look incredibly similar to the point that identifying unique species from each other is not easy.

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