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]