[1][3][4] It was described by John E. McCosker in 1979, originally under the genus Muraenichthys.

[2][4] The specific name puhioilo is derived from Hawaiian puhi oilo, which refers to "small eels about as large in diameter as a finger".

[5] It is a marine, temperate water-dwelling eel which is known from the Hawaiian Islands, in the eastern central Pacific Ocean.

It is known to dwell at depths down to 275 metres (902 ft), and leads a benthic lifestyle.

This Ophichthidae article is a stub.