Many-Eyed Snake Eel

Ophichthus polyophthalmus

The many-eyed snake eel is a tropical species found in marine, freshwater, and brackish environments across the Indo-Pacific region, from East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands. It is typically associated with coral reefs, inhabiting sandy and rubble bottoms at depths ranging from 2 to 25 meters. Divers may encounter this eel burrowed in the sand or rubble, often near coral formations. This eel is characterized by its pale red salmon coloration, adorned with distinctive yellow spots on its head and yellowish ocelli with dark margins along its body. Its body is eel-like, with a circular cross-section, and it has a ventral gill opening. Males can grow to a maximum length of 75 centimeters, making it a relatively large member of the Ophichthidae family. Its conservation status is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.