Gorgasia maculata Klausewitz & Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1959
Whitespotted garden eel
Gorgasia maculata
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Congridae (Conger and garden eels), subfamily: Heterocongrinae
Max. size:  70 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 25 - 48 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Maldives to the Solomon Islands, north to the Philippines.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 453-484; Anal soft rays: 248-301; Vertebrae: 167-178. Head with white blotches and white blotches along the lateral line. Body diameter to about 10 mm (Ref. 47567). Description: Characterized by pale grey overall color; head, body and fins covered with numerous small, closely packed brown spots; white spots surrounding cephalic sensory pores and anterior lateral line pores; origin of dorsal fin above base of pectoral fins; predorsal length 12.9-18.2% of TL; preanal length 35.5-40.1% of TL; depth of body at gill opening 24.7-33.8% of head length (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found in colonies on clean sandy slopes exposed to currents.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 January 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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