Leopard moray eel

Dragon eel ( Enchelycore pardalis)

The dragon eel ( Enchelycore pardalis) or Panthermuräne is a strikingly colorful type of moray eels ( Muraenidae ). It occurs up to southern Japan, South Korea, Hawaii and New Caledonia in the Indo-Pacific region of Réunion.

Features

The maximum 90 inches long expectant fish have a strong body with a strikingly high Flossensaum. The jaw is elongate and bent. As always, the teeth in the middle of the jaw remain visible even when the mouth is closed. Over their eyes they shall each bear a fleshy " horn ", which were formed from extensions of the posterior nares. As with all moray eels their front nostrils are elongated tube-like. The coloring of the fish varies depending on the origin of the animals and also changes in the course of life. The red or orange ground color, which is unique among the eels, it is easy to distinguish from all other moray eels. Show on the reddish ground color the fish a pattern of white, dark edged spots. Older animals additionally get a pattern of brown stripes.

Dissemination

Drachenmuränen live hidden in coral reefs to 60 meters depth. They feed on smaller fish.