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Family Ophichtyidae

INDO-WEST PACIFIC / HAWAII

Brachysomophis henshawi

Electric Beach, Oahu, 30 feet

 

YO-257, Waikiki, Oahu, 90 feet

Pu'u 'Olai, Maui, 50 feet

REPTILIAN SNAKE EEL or HENSHAW'S CROCODILE EEL

Uncommon in sandy areas at scuba depths where it ambushes fish by burying itself with just the eyes exposed.  Slender with a rugged head and large teeth, brown and white with red to orange blotches on head.  Attains 39 inches.  Oman east to Japan, Hawaii, and French Polynesia.  Similar to the Indo-Pacific Brachysomophis crocodilinus which is white with brown speckles.