Ophichthus Ahl 1789

Ophichthus Ahl 1789: 5, type species Muraena ophis Linnaeus 1758, type by subsequent designation.

Diagnosis. Body moderately to very elongate, cylindrical, but compressed posteriorly; tail length usually more than half of TL. Dorsal-fin origin above or behind gill openings. Pectoral fins developed, slender or paddle-shaped. Snout and jaws moderately elongate; lips without numerous barbels or fringes; some species with one or two small barbels along upper lip on each side of snout. Anterior nostrils tubular; posterior nostrils open into mouth or along lower edge of upper lip. Eyes moderately to well-developed. Teeth conical and numerous, never caniniform, and uniserial or multiserial on jaws and vomer. Coloration variable, often marked, but generally uniform and darker dorsally. A worldwide revision is needed as several subgenera are recognizable within the genus.