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Sharptail Snake Eel

Myrichthys breviceps

Description:

This eel reaches approximately one meter in length, and is related to moray eels. Markings are as shown in the above photos. I found surprisingly little as to references on this creature. The reference listed in this posting has some information on snake eels and morays on Pg. 63, in addition to Wikipedia.

Habitat:

This eel was spotted in a coral reef off the island of Tobago, at about 45'. They are fairly common from waters off Florida down to the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. It was in a cavity under a coral outcropping.

Notes:

Despite its name, it is a very gentle animal. It has a pointed tail, which is used to burrow into sand and coral rubble. As I was photoing this animal, it ventured out of the coral, and practically bumped up against my camera lens. I had to back off somewhat to take photos. They eat invertebrates, and according to sources can be spotted on the reef both day and night.

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6 Comments

Jim Nelson
Jim Nelson 8 years ago

Thanks...the nomination is greatly appreciated! Leuba, I do not think the nostrils are retractable. Most morays I have seen have similar nostril structure.

ChunXingWong
ChunXingWong 8 years ago

Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!

Leuba Ridgway
Leuba Ridgway 8 years ago

Interesting ! Nice shots too. I wonder if those nostril tubes are retractable.

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 8 years ago

Superb spotting.

Jim Nelson
Jim Nelson 8 years ago

Thanks, Ava!

Ava T-B
Ava T-B 8 years ago

Lovely spotting!

Jim Nelson
Spotted by
Jim Nelson

Trinidad and Tobago

Spotted on Nov 17, 2005
Submitted on Feb 8, 2016

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