The leopard moray eel, tiger moray eel or dragon moray (Enchelycore pardalis), is a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae.[1]
| Leopard moray eel | |
|---|---|
| |
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| dragon moray eel in Japan | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Muraenidae |
| Genus: | Enchelycore |
| Species: | E. pardalis
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| Binomial name | |
| Enchelycore pardalis | |
The leopard moray eel is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific oceans from Réunion to the Hawaiian, Line and Society Islands, north to southern Japan, southern Korea, and south to New Caledonia.[2]
It inhabits coral and rocky reefs at depth range from 8 to 60 m.[3]
Its length is up to 92 cm.[4]
This eel is characterized by its narrow, curved jaws, vivid red stripes on the head, and elongated tubular nostrils.
It is chiefly nocturnal; because of this and its preference for cryptic habitats, it is seldom seen. It feeds primarily on fishes and small cephalopods.[5]
References edit
- ^ "Enchelycore pardalis, Leopard moray eel : Aquarium".
- ^ "Enchelycore pardalis, Leopard moray eel : Aquarium".
- ^ Allen, G.R. and R.C. Steene, 1988. Fishes of Christmas Island Indian Ocean. Christmas Island Natural History Association, Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, 6798, Australia. 197 p.
- ^ Randall, J.E., 2005. Reef and shore fishes of the South Pacific. New Caledonia to Tahiti and the Pitcairn Islands. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. 720 p.
- ^ Lieske, E. and R. Myers, 1994. Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Harper Collins Publishers, 400 p.
External links edit
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