The Myrichthys colubrinus, commonly known as the banded snake eel, ringed snake eel, or harlequin snake eel, is a species native to the Indo-Pacific region. This eel occasionally enters the aquarium trade due to its distinctive appearance and intriguing behavior. It can reach a maximum length of 97 cm (38 inches).
Notably, the ringed snake eel exhibits Batesian mimicry by resembling the venomous sea snake Laticauda colubrina, which provides a measure of protection from potential predators. Unlike many other snake eels that remain concealed and are more active nocturnally, the ringed snake eel is known for its diurnal activity, freely swimming during daylight hours.
In 2021, this species was documented for the first time in Hawaiian waters, marking a significant extension of its known distribution.
Why it's threatened
There are no known major threats.
Threat classification from the IUCN Red List.
