Myrus vulgaris; Print; The Painted eel (Echelus myrus) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels). It was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758; originally under the genus Muraena. It is a marine; subtropical eel which is known from the eastern Atlantic Ocean; including the Bay of Biscay; the Republic of Congo; and the Mediterranean. It dwells at a depth range of 3 to 12 metres (9.8 to 39.4 ft); and inhabits burrows formed in sand and mud sediments in coastal lagoons and estuaries. Males can reach a maximum total length of 100 centimetres (39 in); but more commonly reach a TL of 60 centimetres (24 in).; 1798-1876