Western Shore Eel

📖 Overview

Western Shore Eel (Alabes occidentalis), first described by Hutchins & Morrison, 2004 is a tiny fish in the family Gobiesocidae (order Gobiesociformes). Adults typically reach 4.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 1 to 4 metres. It occurs in Subtropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Diagnosis: It differs from its congeners with its elongate transparent body (depth 9.1-15.9 in SL). Very small gill slit (5.4 -17.5 in HL). Rudimentary pelvic fin absent. Postocular pore 1, anterior nasal pore present, posterior nasal pore absent. Lacrymal pores none. Vertebrae total 65-69, precaudal 16-17; last epineural on the 15th -17th vertebra. Caudal rays 4-6. Gut extension short. Tail length long. Dorsal origin over the anus. Unique color pattern in adult male (tiger-like brownish orange bars anteriorly on side of body, darker ventrally). This species is very similar to A. parvula, differing in the shape of the posterior portion of the gut (shorter and more rounded in parvula when viewed laterally in freshly caught material), lack of lacrymal pores (vs. usually present in parvula), and in coloration of the adult male .: eel-like; Cross section: circular.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Western Shore Eel is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 1 - 4 m . Subtropical Indian Ocean: Australia.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .

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