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The Snake Pit -
A Look at the Genus Brachysomophis

The pink head of this Henshaw's snake eel protrudes from a black sand slope near Ambon, Indonesia. Photo by Scott W. Michael

Although many of the fishes on coral reefs attract the attention of observers because they are beautiful in color and/or form, there are some that are loved because of their ugliness! Frogfishes, devilfishes, stonefishes, are all species that are often sought after because they are aesthetically challenged! Another group of fishes that fall into this category are the snake eels in the genus Brachysomophis. There are three species in this genus that are occasionally encountered by critter-lovers that hunt sand and mud flats and slopes adjacent to coral reefs.

In this Coral Realm Feature article we will examine these evil-looking eels. We will examine some of best places to find them, how to photograph them, and how to tell the various species apart. There are 10 marvelous photos of these truly homely sand dwellers to aid you in differentiating the three species.

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