Heteroconger taylori Castle & Randall, 1995
Taylor's garden eel
Heteroconger taylori
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Congridae (Conger and garden eels), subfamily: Heterocongrinae
Max. size:  47.9 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 5 - 15 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 414-453; Anal soft rays: 227-292; Vertebrae: 168-172. Sometimes yellow with black spots; diameter to about 20 mm (Ref. 48635). Description: Characterized by yellowish to white color; head, body and fins with bold pattern of black spots; origin of dorsal fin well anterior to gill opening; predorsal length 10.2-12.1% of preanal length; preanal length 37.3-38.6% of TL; depth of body at gill opening 32.8-38.4% of head length (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found on silty sand and seagrass bottom. Occurs singly or in small groups (Ref. 48635). Individuals from Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia with slightly smaller spots (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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