Anguilla bicolor bicolor

(McClelland, 1844)

Vernacular names
English : Indonesian shortfin eel
French : Anguille bicolore

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Anguilliformes
Family : Anguillidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach 1.63 meters in length but most don’t grow past 80 cm. Elongated cylindrical body with small blunt head, big eyes and very smooth skin. Coloration uniformly dark bluish-brown to olive on back and flanks, yellow on belly.

Range and habitat
The species occurs from east Africa to central Pacific, south to northern Australia. This subspecies occurs in the Indian Ocean. Lives in freshwater marshes and smaller rivers, mostly over rocky bottoms.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is still locally common but is overfished in many parts of its range for food. Habitat loss or degradation (estuaries particularly) is a problem.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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