First report of Ophichthus machidai (Actinopterygii: Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from the Indian Ocean

Abstract

The Machida’s snake eel, Ophichthus machidai McCosker, Ide et Endo, 2012, is reported for the first time from the coasts of Bay of Bengal, India. Four specimens (396–457 mm total length) were collected from the Shankarpur fishing harbour, Digha, West Bengal. Principal morphological characters were determined and the specimen was illustrated and described. The species was previously restricted to the northern Pacific Ocean and now is reported for the first time from the Indian coast of the Indian Ocean.

Keywords

• east coast of India
• fish
• new record
• morphology