Scolecenchelys iredalei (Whitley, 1927)
Coral worm eel

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Myrophinae
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 60 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: widespread, from South Africa to Fiji, north to central Honshu Island, Japan, including Australia and the Red Sea.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 122-129. This species of the Scolecenchelys gymnota species group is distinguished by the following set of characters: head 8.4-10 % TL; tail 51-54 % TL; trunk 34-38 % TL; infraorbital pores 2 at the postorbital area; absence of median ventral groove on the snout; acute snout; rictus of mouth is slightly posterior to a vertical through the posterior margin of the eye; uniserial teeth on jaws and vomer; horizontal distance between dorsal-fin origin and a vertical through mid-anus 3.4-57 % HL; predorsal vertebrae 54-59, preanal 53-56, total vertebrae 122-129; MVF 57-55-126 (Ref. 104540).
Biology:  A shallow water species occurring from rock tide pools or coral reefs to 60 m depth (Ref. 104540).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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