Re.46 OPHICHTHYS(Snake Eel)

 

Phylum: Chordata

Class   : Actinopterygii

Order  : Synbranchiformes

Family : Synbranchidae

Genus : Ophichthys

DESCRIPTION

Ophichthys is a genus of swamp eels native to South Asia. They live in freshwater or subterranean habitats, and some have a fossorial lifestyle. All species in this genus were formerly classified in Monopterus, but a 2020 study found them to represent a distinct monophyletic clade from Monopterus. Due to this, the genus name Ophichthys, previously coined by William Jonh Swanison was revived to be used for them. Ophichthys was formerly a wastebasket taxon used to lump in many unrelated species of eel-like fish (all of which are classified in separate genera today) and later synonymized with Monopterus until its resurrection.

IUCN Status: Vulnerable