Heteroconger balteatus Castle & Randall, 1999
Heteroconger balteatus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Congridae (Conger and garden eels), subfamily: Heterocongrinae
Max. size:  33.1 cm TL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 46 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Saudi Arabia, Red Sea.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 158-161. Diagnostic features: Body with discrete, round to oval, orange spots, smaller and many anteriorly, larger and in a single row above and below the lateral line farther back; a distinct, oblique, white patch free of spots about 1/3 of the way along the trunk; pre-anal pores and vertebrae, 52-56; head length 15-18% of snout to anus length;
Biology:  Burrows tail-first into the sand; feed on zooplankton, in regions of current (Ref. 33408).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 26 November 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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