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.
Why it's threatened
Threat classification from the IUCN Red List.
