Adults inhabit freshwater streams and pools, preferring marshy habitats , in rivers and creeks, commonly over rock bottoms and in deeper pools and move as young to estuaries and seas . Seldom found in large rivers . Restricted to lowland (coastal) reaches of river systems . Adults descend to the sea to spawn. They feed on small fishes, crustaceans and mollusks. Reported to breed east of Madagascar; the south equatorial current probably carries the eel larvae and elvers towards the east coast of Africa where local coastal currents guide the elvers to suitable rivers which they invade and they stay there until sexually mature, when they return to their breeding grounds . Caught with various types of nets. Sometimes used in the aquarium trade .
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 240 - 245; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 200 - 220; Vertebrae: 105 - 115. : eel-like; Cross section: circular.
Behavioural data for Indonesian shortfin eel is currently being reviewed.
Semelparous.
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; catadromous . Tropical; 22°N - 27°S east and southeast African coast and Madagascar (Ref.
small fishes, crustaceans and mollusks
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anguilla amblodon | Günther | 1867 | Synonym |
| Anguilla bicolor bicolor | - | - | Synonym |
| Anguilla bicolor pacifica | Schmidt | 1928 | Synonym |
| Anguilla bicolour | McClelland | 1844 | Synonym |
| Anguilla bicolour bicolour | McClelland | 1844 | Synonym |
| Anguilla bleekeri | Kaup | 1856 | Synonym |
| Anguilla cantori | Kaup | 1856 | Synonym |
| Anguilla dussumieri | Kaup | 1856 | Synonym |
| Anguilla foochowensis | Chu & Yin | 1984 | Synonym |
| Anguilla malabarica | Kaup | 1856 | Synonym |
| Anguilla moa | Bleeker | 1849 | Synonym |
| Anguilla mowa | Bleeker | 1852 | Synonym |
| Anguilla pacifica | Schmidt | 1928 | Synonym |
| Anguilla sidat | Bleeker | 1852 | Synonym |
| Anguilla spengeli | Weber | 1912 | Synonym |
| Anguilla virescens | Peters | 1852 | Synonym |
| Muraena halmaherensis | Bleeker | 1863 | Synonym |
| Muraena macrocephala | Rapp | 1849 | Synonym |
| Muraena moa | Bleeker | 1849 | Synonym |
| Muraena virescens | Peters | 1852 | Synonym |
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 8 records indexed .
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