Heteroconger hassi (Klausewitz & Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1959)
Spotted garden-eel
Heteroconger hassi
photo by Adams, M.J.

 Family:  Congridae (Conger and garden eels), subfamily: Heterocongrinae
 Max. size:  40 cm TL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  reef-associated; 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. Feeds on zooplanktons (Ref. 89972).
 IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated  (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 13.01.95
 Modified by: Valdestamon, Roxanne Rei - 30.09.14

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