Heteroconger enigmaticus Castle & Randall, 1999
Enigma garden eel
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Congridae (Conger and garden eels), subfamily: Heterocongrinae
Max. size:  43.7 cm TL (male/unsexed); 41.6 cm TL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 3 - 25 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (Ref. 33408) and the Philippines (photographed).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 459-508; Anal soft rays: 297-341; Vertebrae: 154-163. Diagnostic features: Body color medium to dark brown, moderately elongate; 47-55 pre-anal pores; 51-56 preanal, 154-163 total vertebrae; pterygoid teeth present in most specimens. Description: Characterized by head and body covered with numerous whitish flecks; origin of dorsal fin posterior to gill opening; predorsal length 18.6-25.0 % of preanal length; preanal length 32.7-36.3 % of TL; depth of body at opening of gill 30.7-38.8 % of head length (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occurs in dark, silty sand with seagrass Holiphila (Ref. 33408).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 26 November 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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