Animal Species:Halfband Snake Eel, Malvoliophis pinguis (Günther, 1872)

The Halfband Snake Eel is a brown-blotched fish that is named after Malvolio from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

Halfband Snake Eel, Malvoliophis pinguis

Halfband Snake Eel, Malvoliophis pinguis
Michael McFadyen © Michael McFadyen

Identification

The Halfband Snake Eel is whitish with brown blotches on the head and brown bands on the body.

Size range

The grows to about 53 cm in length.

Distribution

The species is endemic to Australia, occurring from the central coast of Queensland to southern New South Wales. It is also recorded from Lord Howe Island.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Malvoliophis pinguis

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Halfband Snake Eel specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It is a burrowing species that is found on soft substrates in continental shelf and inshore waters.

Classification

Species:
pinguis
Genus:
Malvoliophis
Family:
Ophichthidae
Order:
Anguilliformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Grant, E.M. 1982. Guide to Fishes. Department of Harbours & Marine. Pp. 896.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, Pp. 1-2178.
  3. Kuiter, R.H & H. Debelius. 2006. World Atlas of Marine Fishes. IKAN. Pp. 720.

 


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Halfband Snake Eel, Malvoliophis pinguis, Ophichthidae, eel, brown, blotches/mottled, dots/spots, 30 cm - 1 m, continental shelf, inshore water, marine,