Enigma garden eel

Enigma garden eel
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
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. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
2. Common names of Heteroconger enigmaticus at www.fishbase.org.
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.