Callechelys catostoma

Callechelys catostoma
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Ophichthidae
Genus: Callechelys
Species:
C. catostoma
Binomial name
Callechelys catostoma
(J. G. Schneider & J. R. Forster, 1801)
Synonyms
  • Sphagebranchus catostomus Schneider, 1801
  • Callechelys catostomus (Schneider, 1801)
  • Callechelys melanotaeni Bleeker, 1864
  • Callechelys melanotaenius Bleeker, 1864
  • Leptenchelys pinnaceps Schultz, 1953
  • Callechelys striatus Smith, 1958
  • Callechelys striata Smith, 1958

Callechelys catostoma, the black-striped snake eel or dark band snake eel,) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels). It was described by Johann Gottlob Theaenus Schneider and Johann Reinhold Forster in 1801. It is a tropical, marine eel which is known from the Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, East Africa, the Society Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, and Lord Howe Island. It dwells at a depth range of 1–32 metres, and inhabits reefs. It burrows into loose gravel and sand. Males can reach a maximum total length of 85 centimetres (33 in).