Heteroconger polyzona Bleeker, 1868
Zebra garden eel
photo by Awai, M.

Family:  Congridae (Conger and garden eels), subfamily: Heterocongrinae
Max. size:  34.7 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 1 - 10 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Ryukyu Islands, Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 437-444; Anal soft rays: 293-324; Vertebrae: 153-159. Body with zebra-like barring; body diameter about 15 mm (Ref. 48635). Description: Characterized by white color with numerous close-set narrow dark bars, most not completely encircling body except for three sets of 5-6 bars on anterior third; origin of dorsal fin just posterior to gill opening; predorsal length 21.6-25.3% of preanal length; preanal length 29.2-31.5% of TL; depth of body at gill opening 35.3-38.5% of head length (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occurs in shallow water. Burrows of individuals are in pairs, approximately 8 inches apart; with neighboring pairs at least 3-4 times greater apart from each other. Usually in moderate sized aggregations that appear during current runs (Ref. 48635). Usually in colonies on sand bottoms near reefs, sheltered bays and coastal sand slopes (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 August 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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