The splendid garden eel is a medium-sized fish, up to 40 cm maximum length.[2] Its body has a circular shape with a diameter of about 10 mm.[3] Its body color is yellow to orange with characteristic white bands.
Distribution and habitatedit
Gorgasia preclara is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific area from the Maldives to Indonesian archipelago and the Papua New Guinea and north to Ryukyu, Japanese archipelagos, and south to the Philippines.[4] It occurs in sandy areas exposed to currents at depths between 18 and 75 m, but is usually observed at an average depth of 30 m.[5]
Biologyedit
The splendid garden eel lives in a buried tube in the sand either alone or in groups ranging anywhere from three to over a thousand eels.[6] Typically, only its head and uppermost body protrudes from the sand, and it will retreat entirely if approached by large fish or divers. They feed on drifting plankton.[7]
Reproductionedit
During mating season male and female eels will move burrows to increase proximity to one another. Males will often engage in a courtship display of protective behaviors and may bite rival eels. After a male has won a display, the male and female eel will stretch from their burrows to intertwine bodies. [8] Splendid garden eels are pelagic spawners, meaning that female eels will release fertilized eggs into the current. When the eggs hatch in the current, larvae continue to float until they reach a certain size. Once they've hit this size threshold juvenile eels will dig their sand burrow. [8]
Referencesedit
^Tighe, K.; Smith, D.G.; McCosker, J. (2019). "Gorgasia preclara". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T199411A2592594. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T199411A2592594.en. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
^Burgess, W.E., H.R. Axelrod and R.E. Hunziker III, 1990. Dr. Burgess's Atlas der Meerwasser Aquarium Fische. Bede Verlag, Kollnburg, Germany.
^Kuiter, R.H. and T. Tonozuka, 2001. Pictorial guide to Indonesian reef fishes. Part 1. Eels- Snappers, Muraenidae - Lutjanidae. Zoonetics, Australia. 302 p.
^Castle, P.H.J. and J.E. Randall 1999 Revision of Indo-Pacific garden eels (Congridae: Heterocongrinae), with descriptions of five new species. Indo-Pac. Fish. (30):52 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.
^Kuiter, R.H. and T. Tonozuka, 2001. Pictorial guide to Indonesian reef fishes. Part 1. Eels- Snappers, Muraenidae - Lutjanidae. Zoonetics, Australia. 302 p.
^Myers, R.F., 1999. Micronesian reef fishes: a comprehensive guide to the coral reef fishes of Micronesia, 3rd revised and expanded edition. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 330 p.
^ ab"Splendid garden eel animal guide". Georgia Aquarium. Georgia Aquarium. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
External linksedit
Photos of Gorgasia preclara on Sealife Collection
This Anguilliformes article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
gorgasia, preclara, splendid, garden, orange, barred, garden, species, marine, garden, conservation, status, least, concern, iucn, scientific, classification, domain, eukaryota, kingdom, animalia, phylum, chordata, class, actinopterygii, order, anguilliformes,. Gorgasia preclara the splendid garden eel or orange barred garden eel is a species of marine garden eel Gorgasia preclara Conservation status Least Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Anguilliformes Family Congridae Genus Gorgasia Species G preclara Binomial name Gorgasia preclaraJ E Bohlke amp J E Randall 1981 source source source source source source Splendid garden eels in captivity Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution and habitat 3 Biology 4 Reproduction 5 References 6 External linksDescription editThe splendid garden eel is a medium sized fish up to 40 cm maximum length 2 Its body has a circular shape with a diameter of about 10 mm 3 Its body color is yellow to orange with characteristic white bands Distribution and habitat editGorgasia preclara is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo West Pacific area from the Maldives to Indonesian archipelago and the Papua New Guinea and north to Ryukyu Japanese archipelagos and south to the Philippines 4 It occurs in sandy areas exposed to currents at depths between 18 and 75 m but is usually observed at an average depth of 30 m 5 Biology editThe splendid garden eel lives in a buried tube in the sand either alone or in groups ranging anywhere from three to over a thousand eels 6 Typically only its head and uppermost body protrudes from the sand and it will retreat entirely if approached by large fish or divers They feed on drifting plankton 7 Reproduction editDuring mating season male and female eels will move burrows to increase proximity to one another Males will often engage in a courtship display of protective behaviors and may bite rival eels After a male has won a display the male and female eel will stretch from their burrows to intertwine bodies 8 Splendid garden eels are pelagic spawners meaning that female eels will release fertilized eggs into the current When the eggs hatch in the current larvae continue to float until they reach a certain size Once they ve hit this size threshold juvenile eels will dig their sand burrow 8 References edit Tighe K Smith D G McCosker J 2019 Gorgasia preclara IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019 e T199411A2592594 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2019 1 RLTS T199411A2592594 en Retrieved 6 January 2022 Burgess W E H R Axelrod and R E Hunziker III 1990 Dr Burgess s Atlas der Meerwasser Aquarium Fische Bede Verlag Kollnburg Germany Kuiter R H and T Tonozuka 2001 Pictorial guide to Indonesian reef fishes Part 1 Eels Snappers Muraenidae Lutjanidae Zoonetics Australia 302 p Castle P H J and J E Randall 1999 Revision of Indo Pacific garden eels Congridae Heterocongrinae with descriptions of five new species Indo Pac Fish 30 52 p Lieske E and R Myers 1994 Collins Pocket Guide Coral reef fishes Indo Pacific amp Caribbean including the Red Sea Harper Collins Publishers 400 p Kuiter R H and T Tonozuka 2001 Pictorial guide to Indonesian reef fishes Part 1 Eels Snappers Muraenidae Lutjanidae Zoonetics Australia 302 p Myers R F 1999 Micronesian reef fishes a comprehensive guide to the coral reef fishes of Micronesia 3rd revised and expanded edition Coral Graphics Barrigada Guam 330 p a b Splendid garden eel animal guide Georgia Aquarium Georgia Aquarium Retrieved 3 May 2021 External links editPhotos of Gorgasia preclara on Sealife Collection nbsp This Anguilliformes article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gorgasia preclara amp oldid 1218116871, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
