Teleostei (teleosts) >
Anguilliformes (Eels and morays) >
Ophichthidae (Snake eels) > Ophichthinae
Etymology: Rhinophichthus: Greek, rhinos = nose + Greek, ophis = snake + Greek, ichthys = fish; penicillatus: From the sharpened-pencil like appearance of both ends of this eel.
More on author: McCosker.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range 435 - 435 m (Ref. 31795). Tropical
Western Pacific: New Caledonia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 45.7 cm TL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Vertebrae: 173. Pale-colored, slightly darker dorsally; pale fins. Large eyes. Origin of dorsal fin behind pectoral tips. Pectorals small and paddle-shaped. Small teeth, conical and uniserial. Mean vertebral formula 12-54-173. Tail 66-67% of total length.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
McCosker, J.E., 1999. Pisces Anguilliformes: deepwater snake eels (Ophichthidae) from the New Caledonia region, Southwest Pacific Ocean. p. 571-588. In A. Crosnier (ed.) Résultats des Campagnes Musorstom, Volume 20. Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle: 180. (Ref. 31795)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 1.0000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00091 (0.00039 - 0.00215), b=2.99 (2.79 - 3.19), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.7 ±0.6 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate vulnerability (36 of 100).