Splendid garden eel

 

Scientific name : Gorgasia preclara

 

Family : Congridae (conger eels and garden eels, 197 species)
Size : Up to 40 cm
Distribution : Indian Ocean and tropical Pacific

 

Biology : Although smaller and more colourful than its cousin the spotted garden eel, the splendid garden eel shares a similar lifestyle.
It consolidates its tunnel using mucus.
During the breeding season, the male leaves his burrow to settle near a female, adopting a very protective behaviour.

 

IUCN status : Least concern