DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

ZOOGEOGRAPHY

ECOLOGY

BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

VALUE OF FISH RESOURCES

CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

DANGEROUS MARINE FISHES

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

BIBLIOGRAPHY

SPECIES INDEX

CHAMORRO NAMES

OPHICHTHIDAE (SNAKE EELS)

       Snake eels are elongate eels that spend much of their time buried in the sand.  A few species occasionally occur in the open.  Some are quite colorful.

Myrichthys maculosus (Cuvier)
(Spotted Snake Eel; Hagman Lisadso)
TL:  to 55 cm (photo:  30 cm TL, Piti reef flat, 1 m; aquarium)

This species is occasionally observed in the open or in sandy habitats of shallow lagoons and reef flats.  It is considerably more active at night than during the day and feeds on small invertebrates and fishes which are sought out with its acute sense of smell.

INDO-PACIFIC:  Red Sea to the Societies and Hawaii, n. to s. Japan, s. to Queensland.