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 | |
|---|---|
 | |
.jpg) | |
| dragon moray eel in Japan | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Muraenidae |
| Genus: | Enchelycore |
| Species: | E. pardalis |
| 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
External links
Wikispecies has information related to Enchelycore pardalis.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Enchelycore pardalis.
