Burrowing Snake Eel

Teeth molariform, multiserial on jaws, intermaxillary and vomer; dorsal fin with broad dark edge (Ref. 37816). Dorsal fin beginning above pectoral fin (Ref. 12693). Body snake-like, cylindrical, compressed only along extreme tail tip; anterior nostril tubular, posterior nostril along lower edge of lip; median fins not continuous posteriorly; extreme tip of tail stiff and finless; dorsal fin origin over front to middle portion of pectoral fins; lateral line inconspicuous (Ref. 4832). Variable from grey to black or brown. Large individuals have wrinkled skin (Ref. 48635).Description: Characterized by head length 8.5-10 in TL; depth of body about 22-36 (Ref. 90102).

Anadromous. Fish that ascend rivers to spawn, as salmon and hilsa do. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Vertebrae: 152 - 163

Occurs in lagoons and estuaries, entering freshwater (Ref. 12693). Often in tidal channels where loose groups congregate, and usually seen with just the head exposed (Ref. 48635). Caught most often in tidal areas and estuaries (Ref. 12693). A carnivore (Ref. 9137).

Occurs in lagoons and estuaries, entering freshwater (Ref. 12693). Often in tidal channels where loose groups congregate, and usually seen with just the head exposed (Ref. 48635). Caught most often in tidal areas and estuaries (Ref. 12693). Caught in bag nets and similar gear. Marketed fresh (Ref. 7050).

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: unknown; price reliability:

廣泛分布於印度-太平洋區海域：西從東非、紅海，東到波里尼西亞，北從小笠原群島，南迄澳洲。台灣四周海域均有產。

數量多，常見於底拖網與底延釣漁獲中，但經濟價值不高，多作為下雜魚處理。

全長為頭長的9.2-11.2倍；全長為鰓孔位體高的30-41倍；全長為軀幹長的3.0-3.4倍。背鰭起點在胸鰭中央上方或稍前；胸鰭灰黑或淡褐色；無尾鰭，尾端裸露尖硬，且背、臀鰭不相連，止於尾端稍前方，但鰭條於後半部略為上揚；吻短稍尖；上唇緣具兩個肉質突起，分別位於後鼻孔之前後各一個突起，前鼻孔則呈短管狀；口裂超過眼之後方；上頜比下頜長，上、下頜齒均為顆粒狀，排成齒帶約二至三列；體色多為灰褐至黃褐色之間，腹部較為淡黃；背、臀鰭帶有黑緣；平均脊椎骨組成：11-54-158，總脊椎骨數為156-159。食蟹荳齒蛇鰻為台灣沿海最普遍的蛇鰻。

多穴居於近岸沙泥底質中，此外對淡水忍受力頗強，偶爾會上溯至河川下游覓食。

The longfin snake-eel (Pisodonophis cancrivorus) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels). It was described by John Richardson in 1848.

Found in lagoons and estuaries, entering freshwater. Caught in bag nets and similar gear. Marketed fresh (Ref. 7050).