Brachysomophis
Brachysomophis is a genus of eels in the family Ophichthidae. They are known commonly as short-snouted snake eels. These eels are slender, burrowing marine fish that inhabit tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. Brachysomophis species are typically small to medium-sized, with most species reaching lengths of less than 50 centimeters. They possess a distinctive short snout, a feature that differentiates them from other snake eel genera. They are primarily found in sandy and muddy bottoms, often near coral reefs and seagrass beds.
Characteristics
Brachysomophis eels share several characteristic features that help distinguish them from other snake eels. They have a long, slender body with a pointed tail. Their dorsal fin, anal fin, and caudal fin are all fused together, forming a continuous fin along their back and tail. The short snout, as their common name suggests, is one of their most prominent features. It gives them a blunt appearance and helps them in burrowing into the substrate.
Like most snake eels, they possess small, weak jaws with small, pointed teeth. They are opportunistic carnivores, feeding primarily on small invertebrates and fish.
Environments
Brachysomophis eels are found in a variety of tropical and subtropical marine environments. They are typically found in shallow waters, ranging from the intertidal zone to depths of several hundred meters. They prefer sandy and muddy bottoms, often near coral reefs, seagrass beds, and rocky shores. They are often found burrowed in the substrate, only emerging to hunt or to escape predators.
Species
The genus Brachysomophis currently includes the following species:
- Brachysomophis crocodilus (Günther, 1870)
- Brachysomophis diaphanus (Richardson, 1845)
- Brachysomophis infralineatus (Schultz, 1943)
- Brachysomophis intermedia (Schultz, 1943)
- Brachysomophis japanicus (Jordan & Snyder, 1901)
- Brachysomophis lineatus (Günther, 1870)
- Brachysomophis megalops (Whitley, 1948)
- Brachysomophis muelleri (Bleeker, 1859)
- Brachysomophis nigripinnis (Schultz, 1943)
- Brachysomophis sauropsis (Kaup, 1856)
- Brachysomophis sclerolepis (Schultz, 1943)
- Brachysomophis umbrosus (Schultz, 1943)
References
For more information on Brachysomophis eels, you can refer to the following resources: