Snake Blenny

( Xiphasia setifer )

The Snake Blenny looks more like a snake than a fish, and lives in a burrow. It enters the burrow tail first, leaving just its head popping out.

The Snake Blenny or Hairtail Blenny is found in tropical and warm temperate seas of the Indo-West Pacific, and is the longest species of the Combtooth Blenny, reaching 53cms in length. The Snake Blenny is found in shallow bays through to deep water, and prefers soft-bottomed and muddy habitats, where it hides out in tube-like burrows. It rarely swims far from its burrows. It has an elongated, eel-like body, which resembles a sea snake when swimming. Other distinguishing features include a high dorsal fin originating close to the eyes, and two large curved fangs protruding from the bottom jaw. The blenny is a nocturnal feeder, with prey including crustaceans and polychaete worms. Because of its nocturnal nature it is most often encountered by divers at night, but sightings are rare.

This video was filmed in the Milne Bay area of Papua New Guinea amongst seagrass in shallow waters.