Yes, I am still awaiting confirmation of this very species of eel. I found and photographed it in Botany Bay, Sydney almost a decade ago with a Nikonos III, 35mm lens and 1:1 extension tube. Single flash. Fujuchrome slide film. Serpent Eels burrow in the sand and use stealth and ambush to capture prey swimming close by. This guy is barely 1/2" thick.
About 1/60th and f/22. 60% of FF
Further to this, the species was tentatively identified as Xyrias revulsus a tropical species of Serpent Eel, which have been observed in temperate Australian waters. However, a Californian ichthyologists has been reviewing the finding. Though I cannot think of it becoming another Something lumnitzeri. :(
Also, for anyone interested, I linked my TV interview on ABC TV Australia to the My discovery in my signature. Previously that was the transcript only. At least you'll know how to pronounce my first name and Artie's Oshkosh name calling will make sense. :)
Peter, thanks buddy. Looks nicer. The species you are referring to are Garden eels, about the same size as this little guy. Though this one barely sticks out of the burrow unlike the others, which utilize currents to bring food to them. This and other serpent eels are voracious predators. Another species in Australia has been known to pull (and bend beyond repair) handspears when speared.
Jackie
I miss diving. the more I look at my images and those posted here, the more I am thinking of how much I'd love to go back. Thanks for stopping by. :)