Ophichthidae
# Ophichthidae

Ophichthidae is a family of fish in the order Anguilliformes, commonly known as the snake eels. The term "Ophichthidae" comes from Greek ophis ("serpent") and ichthys ("fish"). Snake eels are also burrowing eels. They are named for their physical appearance, as they have long, cylindrical, snake-like bodies. This family is found worldwide in tropical to warm temperate waters. They inhabit a wide range of habitats, from coastal shallows and even rivers, to depths below 800 m (2,600 ft). Most species are bottom dwellers, hiding in mud or sand to capture their prey of crustaceans and small fish, but some are pelagic.

These species range in total length from 5 cm (2.0 in) to 2.3 m (7.5 ft) or more. Many species lack fins altogether, improving their ability to burrow into the substrate like worms. They are often spotted or striped in colour, mimicking the appearance of venomous sea snakes to deter predators. Often, they are washed ashore by large storms.

## Genera

Currently, 62 recognized genera are placed in this family:

* Subfamily Myrophinae
   * Ahlia Jordan & Davis, 1891
   * Asarcenchelys McCosker, 1985
   * Benthenchelys Fowler, 1934
   * Glenoglossa McCosker, 1982
   * Mixomyrophis McCosker, 1985
   * Muraenichthys Bleeker, 1853
   * Myrophis Lütken, 1852
   * Neenchelys Bamber, 1915
   * Pseudomyrophis Wade, 1946
   * Pylorobranchus McCosker & Chen, 2012
   * Schismorhynchus McCosker, 1970
   * Schultzidia Gosline, 1951
   * Scolecenchelys Ogilby, 1897
   * Skythrenchelys Castle & McCosker, 1999
   * Sympenchelys Hibino, Ho & Kimura, 2015
* Subfamily Ophichthinae
   * Allips McCosker, 1972
   * Aplatophis Böhlke, 1956
   * Aprognathodon Böhlke, 1967
   * Apterichtus Duméril, 1805
   * Bascanichthys Jordan & Davis, 1891
   * Brachysomophis Kaup, 1856
   * Caecula Vahl, 1794
   * Callechelys Kaup, 1856
   * Caralophia Böhlke, 1955
   * Chauligenion McCosker & Okamoto, 2016
   * Cirrhimuraena Kaup, 1856
   * Cirricaecula Schultz, 1953
   * Dalophis Rafinesque, 1810
   * Echelus Rafinesque, 1810
   * Echiophis Kaup, 1856
   * Ethadophis Rosenblatt & McCosker, 1970
   * Evips McCosker, 1972
   * Gordiichthys Jordan & Davis, 1891
   * Hemerorhinus Weber & de Beaufort, 1916
   * Herpetoichthys Kaup, 1856
   * Hyphalophis McCosker & Böhlke, 1982
   * Ichthyapus Brisout de Barneville, 1847
   * Kertomichthys McCosker & Böhlke, 1982
   * Lamnostoma Kaup, 1856
   * Leiuranus Bleeker, 1852
   * Leptenchelys Myers & Wade, 1941
   * Letharchus Goode & Bean, 1882
   * Lethogoleos McCosker & Böhlke, 1982
   * Leuropharus Rosenblatt & McCosker, 1970
   * Luthulenchelys McCosker, 2007
   * Malvoliophis Whitley, 1934
   * Myrichthys Girard, 1859
   * Mystriophis Kaup, 1856
   * Ophichthus Ahl, 1789
   * Ophisurus Lacépède, 1800
   * Paraletharchus McCosker, 1974
   * Phaenomonas Myers & Wade, 1941
   * Phyllophichthus Gosline, 1951
   * Pisodonophis Kaup, 1856
   * Quassiremus Jordan & Davis, 1891
   * Rhinophichthus McCosker, 1999
   * Scytalichthys Jordan & Davis, 1891
   * Stictorhinus Böhlke & McCosker, 1975
   * Suculentophichthus Fricke, Golani & Appelbaum-Golani, 2015
   * Xestochilus McCosker, 1998
   * Xyrias Jordan & Snyder, 1901
   * Yirrkala Whitley, 1940
