Depth
Ophisurus · Bony Fish

Serpent Eel

Ophisurus serpens

Variable
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
Variable
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Variable
Habitat
Variable
Diet
Variable
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Moderate
Sighting Likelihood
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassActinopterygii
GenusOphisurus
Speciesserpens

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationVery large, robust snake eel with a cylindrical body. Pale grey to brownish body, unmarked or with faint mottling. Head is pointed with a hard, shovel-like snout used for burrowing. Tail tip is hard and finless.
  • SizeUp to 250 cm total length, commonly 100 to 150 cm.
  • Social HabitSolitary and burrowing. Spends the day completely buried in sandy substrates.
  • HabitatSandy bottoms from the shallows to moderate depths. Needs deep, clean sand for burrowing.
  • Depth1 to 100 m, most common between 5 and 40 m.
  • Feeds OnFish and crustaceans caught at night.
  • DistributionEastern Atlantic from the Bay of Biscay to Senegal, including the Mediterranean Sea.
  • DescriptionThe largest snake eel in the Mediterranean, capable of reaching 2.5 m in length. Despite its impressive size, it is rarely encountered because it spends most of its life buried in sand. Night divers have the best chance of seeing one foraging above the substrate. Its hard, pointed tail tip and shovel snout are adaptations for burrowing.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

Found across the Mediterranean Sea. Habitat and depth details to be confirmed.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

Loading…

Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Habitat details for Serpent Eel to be confirmed. Most commonly encountered in Mediterranean waters.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

Serpent Eel species card

Dive with diveshack

Where to Encounter in Malta

Dive sites where Ophisurus serpens may be encountered will be added as sighting data is collected.

IUCN Red ListLeast Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes.

Source: IUCN Red List
diveshack Mediterranean Marine Life guide