The smallfish snake eel (Quassiremus nothochir, also known as the redsaddled snake eel in Mexico[2]) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).[3] It was described by Charles Henry Gilbert in 1890[4] as a marine, tropical eel which is known from the eastern central Pacific Ocean, including Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, the Gulf of California and Costa Rica.[5] It dwells in shallow waters at a maximum depth of 20 metres (66 ft), and inhabits sand and rock sediments. Males can reach a maximum total length of 70 centimetres (28 in).[3]

Smallfish snake eel
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Ophichthidae
Genus: Quassiremus
Species:
Q. nothochir
Binomial name
Quassiremus nothochir
(Gilbert, 1890)
Synonyms[1]
  • Ophichthys nothochir Gilbert, 1890

Due to its wide distribution in its region, its lack of known threats and lack of observed population decline, the IUCN redlist currently lists the Smallfish snake-eel as Least Concern.[5]

A Smallfish snake eel on the shore near La Paz, Mexico

References

edit
  1. ^ Synonyms of Quassiremus nothochir at www.fishbase.org.
  2. ^ Common names of Quassiremus nothochir at www.fishbase.org.
  3. ^ a b Quassiremus nothochir at www.fishbase.org.
  4. ^ Gilbert, C. H. 1890 (1 July) [ref. 1623] A preliminary report on the fishes collected by the steamer Albatross on the Pacific coast of North America during the year 1889, with descriptions of twelve new genera and ninety-two new species. Proceedings of the United States National Museum v. 13 (no. 797): 49-126.
  5. ^ a b Quassiremus nothochir at the IUCN redlist.
edit