Splendid Garden Eel

Splendid Garden Eel

Description of the Splendid Garden Eel
The Splendid Garden Eel is also known as the Orangebarred Garden Eel. Garden Eels are small eels that live in burrows on the sea floor. They appear to 'grow' from the ocean floor as plants do in a garden; hence their name garden eels! The Spendid Eel is approximately 10mm in diameter and can be recognised by its white body and yellow/orange stripes.

Profile of the Splendid Garden Eel
This Profile contains interesting facts and information about the Splendid Garden Eel species.

• Size: Up to 33cm

• Fish Tank conditions:

• Diet / Feeding: Dried or Flaked Food

• Temperament: Shy, will retreat into their burrow if threatened

• Habitat: Marine Reef Dwellers at depths of up to 38m

• Behaviour: Good addition to community tank but require a deep substrate to burrow into

• Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean

Scientific Classification of the Splendid Garden Eel
Definition: Scientific classification, or biological classification, is how biologists group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy.

• Species: Gorgasia preclara

• Popular Name: Splendid Garden Eel - Orangebarred Garden Eel

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Actinopterygii

• Order: Anguilliformes

• Family: Congridae

Interesting Facts and Information - How do you identify the sex of a Splendid Garden Eel?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes tricky being an ichthyologist!

Interesting Facts and Information - Why are Splendid Garden Eel slimy?
Splendid Garden Eel secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin. This slime provides protection against parasites and infections and helps the Splendid Garden Eel to move through the water faster. Some fish species also release toxins in their slime which ward off enemy attacks. Other fish species use their slime to feed their young.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do Splendid Garden Eel have gills?
Gills enable the Splendid Garden Eel to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however have lungs and breathe air.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do the Splendid Garden Eel have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish are designed to perform a specific function:

• Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the backs of fishes. The Splendid Garden Eel has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Ventral fins. The ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The Splendid Garden Eel has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Caudal fins. The Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. The Splendid Garden Eel has Caudal fins to propel through the water.

• Pectoral fins. The Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The Splendid Garden Eel has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to side movement

Interesting Facts and Information about Splendid Garden Eel