Biology:Enigma garden eel

From HandWiki
Short description: Species of fish

Enigma garden eel
Heteroconger enigmaticus.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Congridae
Genus: Heteroconger
Species:
H. enigmaticus
Binomial name
Heteroconger enigmaticus
Castle & J. E. Randall, 1999

The enigma garden eel[2] (Heteroconger enigmaticus) is a species of eel in the conger/garden eel family Congridae.[3]

Taxonomy

The enigma garden eel was first described in 1999 by Peter Henry John Castle and John Ernest Randall.[4] The species epithet enigmaticus is derived from the Greek 'αινιγματικός' (enigmatikós), meaning 'enigmatic.'[3]

Description

This species is a tropical marine eel that is harmless to humans. It is medium to dark brown in colour. Males can reach a maximum total length of 43.7 cm (17.2 in; 1.43 ft), while females can reach 41.6 cm (16.4 in; 1.36 ft).[3]

Distribution and habitat

The enigma garden eel is found in the western Pacific Ocean, including Indonesia and New Guinea. It dwells at a depth range of 3 to 25 m (9.8 to 82.0 ft), and inhabits regions with dark, silty sand and seagrass (Holiphila species). Males can reach a maximum total length of 43.7 cm (17.2 in; 1.43 ft), while females can reach 41.6 cm (16.4 in; 1.36 ft).[3]

References

  1. Tighe, K.; Smith, D.G.; McCosker, J. (2019). "Heteroconger enigmaticus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T199060A2554716. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T199060A2554716.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/199060/2554716. Retrieved 29 December 2021. 
  2. Common names of Heteroconger enigmaticus at www.fishbase.org.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Heteroconger enigmaticus at www.fishbase.org.
  4. Castle, P. H. J. and J. E. Randall, 1999 (Sept.) [ref. 24042] Revision of Indo-Pacific garden eels (Congridae: Heterocongrinae), with descriptions of five new species. Indo-Pacific Fishes No. 30: 1-52, Pls. I-III.

Wikidata ☰ Q2742911 entry