| Family: |
Congridae (Conger and garden eels), subfamily: Heterocongrinae |
| Max. size: |
45 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 50 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu and the Ogasawara islands, south to northwestern Australia and New Caledonia; throughout Micronesia (Ref. 1602). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 449-540; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 273-334; Vertebrae: 163-177. Variable but usually two large black spots are obvious; body diameter to about 14 mm (Ref. 48635). Anterior nostrils included in continuous free labial flange. Pectoral fins minute. Total vertebrae 163-177, anal origin below vertebra 59-66.
Description: Characterized by whitish color; densely covered with small black spots; with a pair of large black patches on front of body, surrounding gill opening and anus; origin of dorsal fin slightly anterior to gill opening; predorsal length 12.1-14.5% of preanal length; preanal length 38.0-41.4% of TL; depth of body at gill opening 30.3-36.0% of head length (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Often found on sandy slopes below 15 m; withdraws into its burrow when approached. Usually in colonies containing up to several hundred individuals. Adults feed on zooplankton (Ref. 89972). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 November 2016 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
| Country info: |
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