Atlantic garden eel (Heteroconger longissimus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Heteroconger longissimus
- Common name
- Atlantic garden eel
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Congridae
- Genus
- Heteroconger
- Size
- 50–90 cm
- Depth
- 5–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sand
- Behaviours
- colonial, sedentary
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Macaronesia, Eastern Pacific
Description
Heteroconger longissimus reaches 90 cm. Thin conger with brown-gray body with row of dark spots and lateral white points. Lives in dense colonies of dozens to hundreds of individuals emerging vertically from sand up to mid-body, each individual in its permanent burrow. Captures plankton in current. Lightning synchronized retraction at slightest danger, iconic spectacle. Distribution East Atlantic (Macaronesia, Mediterranean), West (Caribbean). Patience diving and delicate photography rewarded.
Photo of Atlantic garden eel
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Atlantic garden eel?
- Atlantic garden eel (Heteroconger longissimus) reaches 50–90 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Atlantic garden eel?
- Atlantic garden eel is found between 5–50 m deep.
- Is the Atlantic garden eel dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Atlantic garden eel?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Atlantic garden eel?
- Found in: Caribbean, Macaronesia, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the family Congridae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 126288)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2403141)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia