Ariosoma fasciatum (Günther, 1872)
Barred sand conger
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Congridae (Conger and garden eels), subfamily: Bathymyrinae
Max. size:  60 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 50 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Madagascar, Taiwan, Sulawesi, Marshall Is., Hawaiian Is., Society Is., and Tahiti.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 154-159. Colorful congrid with a stiff caudal fin adapted for rapid backward burrowing (Ref. 37816). Description: Characterized by whitish or pale yellow color with dark brown bars/saddles on body; numerous dark brown spots on head; large dark brown spots on dorsal fin; depth of body at gill opening 14-21 in TL; cleft of mouth reaching about middle of the eye; origin of dorsal fin about one-half eye diameter anterior to gill opening; anus well anterior to middle of body; small villiform jaw teeth in multiple rows, tapering posteriorly (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  A colorful congrid that lives beneath the sand of lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 89972).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 November 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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