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ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Sand snake eel

In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean · Northeast Atlantic · Atlantic Ocean · Indian Ocean

A head emerging from sand, then nothing: the Sand snake eel is one of the most inconspicuous fish to observe. This large burrowing eel spends its days buried in sandy seabeds before going hunting for fish and other small prey.

Habitat de Sand snake eel Habitat
Sand, Gravel
Profondeur de Sand snake eel Depth
10-300 m
Groupe biologique de Sand snake eel Group
Benthic fish
Rôle écologique de Sand snake eel Role
Predator

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The Sand snake eel is a fish with a very elongated body resembling a snake. Its head extends into a pointed snout projecting beyond the lower jaw, and its wide mouth is lined with small, fine, sharp teeth. Its very thin, cylindrical body can reach considerable lengths while remaining slender. Its colouring varies from light to darker brown, allowing it to blend into sand.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It lives on sandy or muddy seabeds, where it largely buries itself. It occurs from shallow water down to several hundred metres.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

It is a predator catching fish and other small marine animals. It mainly hunts at night, darting out of sand to catch prey.

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Other species — Benthic fish

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Same ecological role and depth

Predatory species

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