The family Ichthyophiidae, commonly known as Asiatic or fish-like caecilians, belongs to the order Gymnophiona, which comprises limbless, burrowing amphibians. Members of this family are characterized by elongated, cylindrical bodies, smooth skin, and reduced eyes, adaptations for a subterranean lifestyle. They are primarily found in Southeast Asia and parts of South Asia, inhabiting moist soil and leaf litter near streams or other freshwater sources. Ichthyophiids are oviparous, laying eggs in moist soil or burrows, and their larvae typically undergo an aquatic stage before metamorphosing into terrestrial adults. These caecilians play important roles in soil ecosystems as predators of invertebrates and as prey for larger animals, although they are often elusive and little-studied due to their secretive habits.