Family : Ophichthidae (Snake eels) , subfamily: Ophichthinae
Order : Anguilliformes  (eels and morays)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Saddled snake eel
Fish Name : Leiuranus semicinctus
Max size : 66.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 1602)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 0 - 70 m
Climate : tropical; 40°N - 40°S
Global Importance :
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Mangaréva islands, north to southern Japan, south to northern New South Wales, Australia.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. White to yellow with 25-30 black saddles (Ref. 3972).
Biology : Occurs in sandy areas and seagrass beds of both lagoon and seaward reefs. Uses its stiff pointed tail to rapidly burrow backwards into the sand when frightened (Ref. 37816). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Feeds on sand-dwelling fishes and crabs and prawns. Sometimes fully exposed when searching for prey (Ref. 30874). Rises to the surface to spawn (Ref. 37816)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator : McCosker, John
Main Ref : Myers, R.F.. 1991. (Ref. 1602)

India country information
Common Names : [ No common name ]
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses