Ophichthus microstictus McCosker 2010

This moderately elongate species of Ophichthus, subgenus Coecilophis is distinguished by the following characters: tail 57-59% and head 11% of total length; origin of dorsal-fin slightly ahead of pectoral-fin tips; moderately elongate pectoral fins, wedge-shaped, is shorter than jaw; posterior nostril a hole in upper lip and is covered by a flap; minute, inconspicuous head pores, SO 1+4, IO 4+2, POM 2-3+6; small, conical and numerous teeth, uniserial on vomer, mandible and anterior and posterior portions of maxillary, which are irregularly biserial; pale in color, slightly darker dorsally, irregular faint white patches beneath lateral midline, all fins pale; mean vertebral formula 13/56/154, total vertebrae 151-156 (Ref. 84366).

Vertebrae: 151 - 156

Ophichthus microstictus is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels). It was described by John E. McCosker in 2010. It is a marine, deep water-dwelling eel which is known from the western central Pacific Ocean, including Tonga, Fiji, and New Caledonia. It dwells at a depth range of 362 to 450 metres (1,188 to 1,476 ft). Males can reach a maximum total length of 48.9 centimetres (19.3 in).

The species epithet "microstictus" means "small punctures" in Greek, and is treated as a noun in apposition. It refers to the small pores on the eel's head.