Latin name

Heteroconger hassi

Other name

Heteroconger hassi

Identification

Have an elongated, eel-shaped body. Vertebrae: 163-177. Anterior nostrils merge into a continuous free lip roll. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 449-540; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 273-334.

Fish colouring

The body is pale cream with numerous black spots and stripes. Three distinct black spots on each side of the body: one behind the gill slits at the base of the pectoral fins, one in the middle of the body, and one around the anus. Juveniles are completely black.

Distribution

Widespread in the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and eastern Africa to the Society Islands, in the Pacific from the Ryukyu and Ogasawara Islands north to New Caledonia and northern Australia.

Habitat

They live near coral reefs on sandy bottoms at depths of 7-45 meters. 

Size

Maximum length 40 cm, diameter about 14 mm.

Behavior

They form colonies of thousands. They spend their entire lives in vertical sandy burrows built by the individuals themselves, with only the head and upper body protruding above the surface. When in danger, they retreat completely into their burrows. Males fight each other for females and territory. 

Food and feeding habits

Adults feed on zooplankton. They hunt by holding their mouths open to the current and waiting for food to swim by.

Reproduction

They leave their burrows only when it is time to spawn with a mate. Males and females entwine their upper bodies while their tails remain in their burrows. They can remain in this position for several hours. Spotted garden eels produce floating fertilized eggs that are carried away by currents. After hatching, the young make their own burrows. These fish have a life expectancy of 35 to 40 years.

Fishing

Commercially fished and sold for aquarium use.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.