---
title: Snake eels (Ophichthidae)
scientific_name: Ophichthidae
common_name: Snake eels
rank: Family
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-03T21:27:55.643Z
tags: Snake eels, Ophichthidae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snake-eels
---

# Snake eels (*Ophichthidae*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Family
- **Scientific name:** Ophichthidae
- **Body shape:** Eel-like - Snake-shaped, no obvious tail fin - moray eels, snake eels.
- **Species listed here:** 11

## How to recognise this group

- elongated, cylindrical body
- pectoral fins often small or absent
- dorsal and anal fins not reaching the tail tip
- pointed, hardened tail tip
- often partially buried in sand or mud

Snake eels (Ophichthidae) are highly elongated, cylindrical fishes, often distinguished by their scaleless bodies and by reduced or absent pectoral fins. Their dorsal and anal fins stop short of a hardened, pointed tail, a structure that facilitates their burrowing into sandy or muddy substrates. Body coloration varies, displaying patterns of spots, bands, or uniform hues. Most species typically measure 30 to 80 cm (12 to 31 in) in length, though some grow to over 1 meter (3.3 ft). The group's name, Ophichthidae, derives from the Greek words 'ophis' (serpent) and 'ichthys' (fish), reflecting their snake-like form.

These eels inhabit shallow sandy flats, seagrass beds, and rubble areas adjacent to reefs, found down to around 50 meters (165 ft). Most species are nocturnal ambush predators, feeding on small fish and crustaceans. During daylight hours, they often remain partly buried in the substrate with only the head exposed, making them relatively uncommon sightings for divers in the Red Sea.


## Species (11)

- [Black-striped Snake Eel (Callechelys catostoma)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snake-eels/black-striped-snake-eel)
- [Blotched Snake Eel (Ophichthus erabo)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snake-eels/blotched-snake-eel)
- [Broadtail Worm Eel (Scolecenchelys laticaudata)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snake-eels/broadtail-worm-eel)
- [Fringelip Snake Eeel (Cirrhimuraena playfairii)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snake-eels/fringelip-snake-eeel)
- [Long-Nostril Snake Eel (Phyllophichthus xenodontus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snake-eels/long-nostril-snake-eel)
- [Longfin Snake Eel (Pisodonophis cancrivorus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snake-eels/longfin-snake-eel)
- [Marbled Snake Eel (Callechelys marmorata)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snake-eels/marbled-snake-eel)
- [Ringed Snake Eel (Myrichthys colubrinus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snake-eels/ringed-snake-eel)
- [Spotted Snake Eel (Myrichthys maculosus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snake-eels/spotted-snake-eel)
- [Stargazer Snake Eel (Brachysomophis cirrocheilos)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snake-eels/stargazer-snake-eel)
- [Thin Snake Eel (Yirrkala tenuis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snake-eels/thin-snake-eel)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snake-eels)*
*Updated: August 3, 2026*