Gold Spotted Snake Eel

Gold Spotted Snake Eel (Myrichthys ocellatus)

The Goldspotted Snake Eel is a tropical marine eel recognized by its cylindrical shape, pointed tail, and striking bright yellow spots set against a pale tan or greenish background. These spots are encircled by faint black rings with dark edges, while the eel’s abdomen is a pale yellow. It can grow to a length of 100–120 cm.

This species is commonly found in the western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Bermuda to Brazil. It inhabits shallow grass beds, sandy and coral rubble bottoms, lagoons, as well as rocky and coral areas near islands. The Goldspotted Snake Eel is known to burrow beneath the sand to forage, often seen with just its head protruding from holes in the sand along shallow rocky and coral reef shores. Being nocturnal, it primarily hunts crabs, stomatopods, and echinoderms at night, while during the day, it hides in the substrate. In sandy environments, it may bury the tip of its tail and flip its body to widen the hole, aiding in prey capture.

This eel is also popular in the aquarium trade, preferring water temperatures between 26.5–28.2 °C (79.7–82.8 °F). Due to its tendency to escape from tanks, especially when feeling threatened, it’s crucial to keep the aquarium tightly covered. For larger eels, using weights or lid locks may be necessary to prevent them from pushing the lid open.