Snake Eels

Snake eels are distinguished from moray eels by their pointed tail (used to burrow backwards into sand) and stiffer, more snake-like body. The black-finned snake eel and napoleon snake eel are common Indo-Pacific species, often visible as just a head poking from open sand.

They hunt small fish and invertebrates at night, returning to the same burrow at dawn. Some species mimic banded sea snakes in coloration to deter predators — black-and-white banding that's strikingly snake-like.

Found at sand-substrate sites across SE Asia: Lembeh, Bali, Andaman. Easy to photograph once spotted — they tolerate close approach at the head, but don't try to extract them by digging.