Heteroconger hassi (Klausewitz & Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1959)
Spotted garden-eel
Heteroconger hassi
photo by Adams, M.J.

Family:  Congridae (Conger and garden eels), subfamily: Heterocongrinae
Max. size:  45 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 50 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu and the Ogasawara islands, south to northwestern Australia and New Caledonia; throughout Micronesia (Ref. 1602).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 449-540; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 273-334; Vertebrae: 163-177. Variable but usually two large black spots are obvious; body diameter to about 14 mm (Ref. 48635). Anterior nostrils included in continuous free labial flange. Pectoral fins minute. Total vertebrae 163-177, anal origin below vertebra 59-66. Description: Characterized by whitish color; densely covered with small black spots; with a pair of large black patches on front of body, surrounding gill opening and anus; origin of dorsal fin slightly anterior to gill opening; predorsal length 12.1-14.5% of preanal length; preanal length 38.0-41.4% of TL; depth of body at gill opening 30.3-36.0% of head length (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Often found on sandy slopes below 15 m; withdraws into its burrow when approached. Usually in colonies containing up to several hundred individuals. Adults feed on zooplankton (Ref. 89972). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 86942.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 November 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Known from Nicobar Is. (Ref. 5439).


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