Common Name
Anderson's Snake Eel
Year Described
McCosker & Böhlke, 1982
Identification
Branchiostegal rays: 14 pairs
Vertebral formula: 16-18 predorsal, 57-58 preanal, 130-134 total
Body elongated and laterally compressed, with trunk much longer than caudal region. Head broadens rearward. Jaws fairly long. Anterior nostril a short tube. Posterior nostril covered in flap outside of mouth, above lip, and anterior to eye. Teeth are well developed with some fangs depressible. Three rows of maxillary teeth. A single row of median fangs. Lower jaw teeth in two rows. Gill slit low on side and immediately anterior to pectoral base. Finfolds low but well developed. Dorsal and anal fins not confluent; tail tip a finless point (Ophichthinae). Dorsal fin origin behind pectoral tip. Pectoral fins present and well developed. Eye distinctly closer to snout tip than end of upper jaw. Body pores minute. No preopercular or anterior lateral pores.
Color
Life color unknown. Preserved specimens uniformly brown with fine speckling. eyes dark. Fins pale.
Size
Maximum known size 31.8cm TL. The two known specimens were not sexually mature.
Habitat
Captured on soft bottoms from 141-192m.
Range
Known only from two specimens taken off South Carolina, U.S.A.
References
McCosker, J. E., & J.E. Böhlke. 1982. Three new genera and two new species of deepwater western Atlantic snake-eels (Pisces: Ophichthidae). Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 113-121.