Convict snake eel

Leiuranus versicolor

The Convict snake eel is an eel in the family Ophichthidae . It was described by John Richardson in 1848. It is a tropical, marine eel which is known from the Pacific Ocean, including Palau, Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Norfolk Island. It dwells at a depth range of 3-18 metres, and forms burrows in the soft bottoms of inshore regions. Males can reach a maximum total length of 75.4 centimetres.
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderAnguilliformes
FamilyOphichthidae
GenusLeiuranus
SpeciesL. versicolor
Photographed in
Indonesia