Nettenchelys

Nettenchelys is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Ophichthidae, commonly known as snake eels. These eels are found in the Indo-Pacific region. The genus was described by John E. McCosker and Richard H. Rosenblatt in 1975.

Species within the Nettenchelys genus are characterized by their elongated bodies, pointed snouts, and small, tubular nostrils. They possess dorsal and anal fins that are confluent with the caudal fin, a common trait among snake eels. Their coloration can vary, but many exhibit cryptic patterns that help them camouflage in their benthic habitats, which typically include sandy or muddy substrates on continental shelves and slopes.

The diet of Nettenchelys species is believed to consist mainly of small invertebrates and fishes, which they likely ambush from their burrows. Like other ophichthids, they are capable of burrowing into the substrate using their muscular bodies. Information on their reproductive biology is limited, as is often the case with deep-sea or less commonly encountered species.

Currently, several species are recognized within the Nettenchelys genus, including Nettenchelys gephyra and Nettenchelys pygmaea. Research on this genus continues to expand our understanding of the diversity and ecology of snake eels in the world's oceans.