Leopard moray eel
| Leopard moray eel | |
|---|---|
| File:Dragon moray (Enchelycore pardalis) (16062551042).jpg | |
| File:Dragon Eel (Enchelycore pardalis).jpg | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Muraenidae |
| Genus: | Enchelycore |
| Species: | E. pardalis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Enchelycore pardalis | |
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The leopard moray eel (Enchelycore pardalis), also known as the tiger moray eel, dragon moray or puhi-kauila in Hawaiian, is a species of moray eel of the family Muraenidae.[1]
Distribution and habitat
[edit | edit source]The leopard moray eel is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific oceans from Réunion to the Hawaiian, Line and Society Islands, north to southern Japan, southern Korea, and south to New Caledonia.[1] The Leopard Moray eel inhabits coral and rocky reefs from shallow coastal waters to deeper reef slopes between 5 and 60 m in depth.[2] It typically shelters in reef crevices during the day and hunts for prey at night.
Description
[edit | edit source]It grows up to 92 cm (36 in) in length[3] and is characterized by its narrow, curved jaws, vivid red stripes on the head, and elongated tubular nostrils. It is primarily nocturnal and has a preference for cryptic habitats feeding primarily on fishes and small cephalopods.[4]
References
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- ^ Allen, G.R. and R.C. Steene, 1988. Fishes of Christmas Island Indian Ocean. Christmas Island Natural History Association, Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, 6798, Australia. 197 p.
- ^ Randall, J.E., 2005. Reef and shore fishes of the South Pacific. New Caledonia to Tahiti and the Pitcairn Islands. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. 720 p.
- ^ Lieske, E. and R. Myers, 1994. Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Harper Collins Publishers, 400 p.
External links
[edit | edit source]
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