---
title: Longfin Snake Eel (Pisodonophis cancrivorus)
scientific_name: Pisodonophis cancrivorus
common_name: Longfin Snake Eel
taxon: Snake eels
conservation_status: LC - Least Concern
published: 2024-10-26T15:34:05.157Z
updated: 2026-08-08T21:22:54.193Z
tags: Longfin Snake Eel, Pisodonophis cancrivorus, Snake eels, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snake-eels/longfin-snake-eel
---

# Longfin Snake Eel (*Pisodonophis cancrivorus*)

## Quick facts

- **Group:** Snake eels (*Ophichthidae*)
- **Size:** 50 - 108 cm
- **Depth:** 1-20 m
- **Conservation status:** LC - Least Concern

The Longfin Snake-Eel (Pisodonophis cancrivorus) is a species within the Ophichthidae family, commonly referred to as worm or snake eels. Described by John Richardson in 1848, this eel is characterized by a dorsal fin commencing above the pectoral fin and a snake-like upper body that is cylindrical, becoming compressed only near the tail's extremity. Noteworthy anatomical features include a tubular anterior nostril and a posterior nostril located along the lower lip edge. The coloration of the Longfin Snake-Eel varies from grey to black or brown, and larger specimens often exhibit wrinkled skin.

This species demonstrates ecological versatility, thriving in both marine and freshwater environments. It is known to migrate from the ocean upstream into rivers to spawn, with some individuals inhabiting coral reefs at depths ranging from 1 to 20 meters. As a tropical species of the Indo-Pacific, the Longfin Snake-Eel is distributed across regions such as the Red Sea, East Africa, French Polynesia, the Ogasawara Islands, and Australia.

Typically, individuals of this species measure around 50 centimeters in length, although some can reach up to 108 centimeters, including their tails. The eels are initially male, with some undergoing a gender transition to become female upon reaching maturity.

Longfin Snake-Eels frequently inhabit lagoons and estuaries as they transition into freshwater environments. They often form loose aggregations in tidal channels, with their heads emerging just above the surface. In estuarine and tidal areas, they are commonly captured by anglers using bag nets.

## Also known as

- **English:** longfin snake-eel, Longfin Snake Eel, Burrowing Snake Eel
- **French:** Serpenton à longue nageoire
- **Czech:** hadař mrchožrout
- **Japanese:** ミナミホタテウミヘビ, Minamihotateumihebi
- **Chinese:** 硬骨䲂, 硬骨仔, 硬骨篡
- **TH:** ปลาไหลกินปู, ปลาไหลงูสีน้ำตาล
- **VI:** cá nhệch

## Scientific synonyms

- *Myrophis chrysogaster* MacLeay, 1881
- *Ophichthus chilkensis* Chaudhuri, 1916
- *Ophichthus madagascariensis* Fourmanoir, 1961
- *Ophichthys cancrivorus* (Richardson, 1848)
- *Ophichthys madagascariensis* Fourmanoir, 1961
- *Ophisurus baccidens* Cantor, 1849
- *Ophisurus brachysoma* Bleeker, 1853
- *Ophisurus cancrivomer* Richardson, 1848
- *Ophisurus cancrivorus* Richardson, 1848
- *Ophisurus nigrepinnis* Liénard, 1842
- *Ophisurus schaapi* Bleeker, 1852
- *Ophisurus schaapii* Bleeker, 1852
- *Ophisurus sinensis* Richardson, 1848
- *Ophiurus baccidens* Cantor, 1849
- *Pisodonophis cancricorus* (Richardson, 1848)
- *Pisodonophis cancrivorous* (Richardson, 1848)
- *Pisodonophis chilkensis* (Chaudhuri, 1916)
- *Pisodonphis cancrivorus* Richardson, 1848
- *Pisoodonophis cancrivorus* (Richardson, 1848)

## Range

Indian Ocean, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa

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*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snake-eels/longfin-snake-eel)*
*Updated: August 8, 2026*