What is Ophichthus Suryai?

About Ophichthus Suryai:

• It is a new species of snake eel discovered from Odisha.
• The new species can be distinguished from its closely allied congeners Ophichthus alleni, Ophichthus zophistius, and Ophichthus altipennis, and other members in this genus by
  • having the dorsal fin origin (DFO) just above or slightly anterior to the gill opening
  • its unique vertebral count and teeth patterns consisting of multiple rows on both maxilla and mandible

What is a Snake eel?

• A snake eel is any of numerous marine fishes in the family Ophichthidae (order Anguilliformes).
• The eels are often mistaken for sea snakes by humans.
• Usually, the eels are found in warm, tropical waters.
• Most species live and hide in material at the bottom of rivers or the sea.
• A snake eel can survive at depths of more than 2,000 feet (around 600 meters), but often live in water much shallower than this.
• The size of a snake eel varies greatly, depending on the species, with some growing as long as 10 feet (about 3 meters).
• If the cross section of a snake eel were examined, it would be almost circular.
• Other features include a scaleless body, small eyes, and a pointed snout. 
• A snake eel’s diet consists mainly of small fish. They are also known to feed off crustaceans.