Fauna
Species

Tiger Snake Eel

Myrichthys maculosus

Also known as Ocellate Snake Eel, Spotted Snake Eel

Tiger snake eels are slender reef dwellers with pointed, hard-tipped tails built specifically for burrowing backwards into loose sediment within seconds. They spend the daytime partially buried or roving across shallow sand flats, flicking their keen sense of smell across the seafloor to detect hidden invertebrates. Although their bold spotted patterning resembles venomous sea kraits, they are completely harmless to humans and play a key role as mesopredators in tropical reef ecosystems.

MarineReef DwellerNocturnal
Tiger Snake Eel reference1 / 7
(c) "Vincent C. Chen is a Taiwanese recreational diver and free diver who dedicate to underwater photography and the marine lives protection. He is also one of the contributors to EZDive magazine since 2008.", some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyCrabs, Shrimp, Benthic gobies
Predators
  • Reef sharks
  • Groupers
  • Moray eels
ThreatsReef habitat degradation, sedimentation, and aquarium trade collection
HabitatsCoral reefs, lagoons, seagrass beds, and sandy flats
Life span10–15 years
Classification
  1. FamilyOphichthidae
  2. SpeciesMyrichthys maculosus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Harmless to humans; safe to observe from a normal distance while snorkeling or diving.
Responsible observation
  • Quiet Snorkeling: Float calmly above sandy flats near reef margins to watch them probe the substrate.
  • Tread Carefully: Avoid stepping into soft sand in shallow lagoons where they frequently rest buried.
Related species
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