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Myrichthys breviceps

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Myrichthys breviceps
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Ophichthidae
Genus: Myrichthys
Species:
M. breviceps
Binomial name
Myrichthys breviceps
Synonyms[2]
  • Ophisurus breviceps Richardson, 1848
  • Muraena acuminata Gronow, 1854
  • Myrichthys acuminatus (Gronow, 1854)
  • Pisodonophis guttulatus Kaup, 1856
  • Ophisurus longus Poey, 1867
  • Ophichthys pisavarius Poey, 1876
  • Leptocephalus undulatus Strömman, 1896

Myrichthys breviceps, the sharptail snake-eel, is a fish species native to the Western Atlantic.

It has diffuse, yellow spots on a blueish-gray back and white belly. Spots are small on the head, larger on the body. The eel can be found along the coasts of the Caribbean sea, mainly on sea grass beds, reefs, and in clear waters. Despite being nocturnal, they can also be seen foraging during daylight. Their food source is small invertebrates like crabs.

They allow close approach by divers and can easily be photographed, but bury in the sand when bothered.[3]

Close-up of sharptail eel, Douglas Bay, Dominica, 2012

References

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  1. ^ McCosker, J. (2015). "Myrichthys breviceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T199029A2551596. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T199029A2551596.en. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  2. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Myrichthys breviceps". FishBase. June 2024 version.
  3. ^ Humann, P. and Deloach, N.: Reef fish identification Florida Caribbean Bahamas, Jacksonville (Fl.), New World Publications, 3rd Printing, 2006
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