Diving with Garden Eels

There are 35 species of Garden Eels in the family Heterocongrinae, most of which are found in the Indo-Pacific region, two of which can be found while diving Koh Lanta.

They have long, slender bodies, with both the pectoral and caudal fins being reduced or absent. These eels have no scales.

Garden eels occur in colonies in sand where they live individually in burrows from which they protrude to feed on plankton. When they rise up to feed, they look like a gently waving garden of plants.

Many species of garden eel are colourfully patterned and most are no more than 60cm in length.

Mating and spawning takes place without any lengthy migration.

Find Out More

• Allen, G., Steene, R., Humann, P., DeLoach, N. (2003) Reef Fish Identification, Tropical Pacific. Jacksonville, FL., USA: New World Publications, Inc., ISBN 1-878348-36-1.
• Humann, P., DeLoach, N., (2010) Reef Creature Identification, Tropical Pacific. Jacksonville, FL., USA: New World Publications Inc., ISBN 978-1-878348-44-9
• Debelius, H. (2013) Indian Ocean Reef Guide. Frankfurt, Germany: IKAN - Unterwasserarchiv, ISBN 978-3-939767-52-7.
• Debelius, H. (2004) Nudibranchs and Sea Snails, Indo-Pacific Field Guide. Frankfurt, Germany: IKAN - Unterwasserarchiv, ISBN 3-925919-51-1
• Erhardt, H., Knop, D. (2015) Corals Indo-Pacific Field Guide. Frankfurt, Germany: IKAN - Unterwasserarchiv, ISBN 3-925919-69-4.
• Veron J.E.N., Stafford-Smith M.G., Turak E. and DeVantier L.M. (2016). Corals of the World

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