Black-Finned Snake Eel

Ophichthus altipennis

The Black-finned Snake Eel, also known as the highfin snake eel, is a marine species found in the tropical waters of the eastern Indian Ocean and the northwestern and western central Pacific Ocean. This eel is distributed across regions including Australia, French Polynesia, Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines. It inhabits inshore waters with soft sand bottoms, where it forms burrows at depths ranging from 0 to 40 meters. Divers may encounter this eel with its head protruding from the sand, as it is known for its burrowing behavior. This species can be identified by its elongated body and distinct coloration. It features a dark blotch on the anterior dorsal-fin membrane and dark brown margins on its cephalic sensory pores. The Black-finned Snake Eel can grow up to 120 cm in length, with males reaching a maximum total length of 103 cm. Its snout is acute, and it has a unique dental arrangement with uniserial teeth on the upper jaw and biserial anterior teeth on the vomer. The Black-finned Snake Eel is a solitary predator, feeding on cephalopods, crustaceans, and small fishes. It is considered harmless to humans and is of no interest to fisheries.