Ophichthus microcephalus

DESCRIPTION

• A species of Ophichthus with a very elongate body; head 8–9 times in length of trunk; tail nearly twice as long as trunk; dorsal fin origin behind pectoral base, over last third of pectoral fin; teeth in upper jaw in three rows; olive on back, yellowish ventrally.

GENERAL HABITAT

• Inhabits inshore waters over soft bottoms, benthic and burrowing.

DISTRIBUTION:

• Southern coasts of India (Kerala & Tamil Nadu).

ENVIRONMENT

• Marine; demersal. Tropical

SIZE

• Max length : 63.0 cm

MORPHOLOGY

• Body is extremely elongate; dorsal-fin origin is slightly ahead of pectoral-fin tips; pectoral fins are slender, moderately elongate; teeth numerous, stout, close-set, conical but not sharp, biserial on jaws, and irregularly triserial on vomer.

• Colouration of preserved specimens olive dorsally, yellow on sides; dark band on body along dorsal-fin base and fins are pale.