Leopard moray eel

The leopard moray eel or dragon moray (Enchelycore pardalis), is a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae.[1]

Leopard moray eel
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Anguilliformes
Family:
Muraenidae
Genus:
Enchelycore
Species:
E. pardalis
Binomial name
Enchelycore pardalis
(Temminck & Schlegel, 1846)
dragon moray eel in Japan

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.[2]

It inhabits coral and rocky reefs at depth range from 8 to 60 m.[3]

Its length is up to 92 cm.[4]

This eel is characterized by its narrow, curved jaws, vivid red stripes on the head, and elongated tubular nostrils.

Close-up of leopard moray.

It is chiefly nocturnal; because of this and its preference for cryptic habitats, it is seldom seen. It feeds primarily on fishes and small cephalopods.[5]

References
  1. http://www.fishbase.org/summary/7451
  2. http://www.fishbase.org/summary/7451
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Lieske, E. and R. Myers, 1994. Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Harper Collins Publishers, 400 p.


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