Ophichthus urolophus (Temminck & Schlegel 1846)

This moderately elongate species of Ophichthus, subgenus Coecilophis is distinguished by the following characters: tail 53-58%, head 11-13% of total length and depth at gill opening 4.0-4.8% of TL; origin of dorsal-fin slightly behind pectoral-tips; pectoral fins spatulate, non-elongate and slightly less than length; large eyes, posterior margin of orbit ahead of rictus; posterior nostril a hole in upper lip and covered by a flap; small, inconspicuous head pores, SO 1+3, IO 4+2, POM 2-3+6-7 (usually 3+7); small, conical teeth, uniserial on mandible and vomer, few anterior teeth on maxillary; color tan on flanks and dorsum, pale ventrally, all fins and anterior nostrils pale, chin and snout dusky; mean vertebral formula 16.2/54.0/136.5, total vertebrae 134-139 (Ref. 84366).

Vertebrae: 134 - 139

Found on the continental shelf (Ref. 75154). Taken from great depths, rarely from shallow muddy bottoms. Feeds on benthic animals.

Taken from great depths, rarely from shallow muddy bottoms. Feeds on benthic animals (Ref. 637).

fisheries: of no interest