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🌊 Marine Data Deficient 🌡️ Tropical

Palauan primitive cave eel

Protanguilla palau Johnson, Ida & Sakaue, 2012
Max Length
17.6 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.5
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
-
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Palauan primitive cave eel (Protanguilla palau) is a ray-finned fish. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in reef-associated environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 17.6 cm. With a trophic level of 3.5, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Protanguilla palau
Authority
Johnson, Ida & Sakaue, 2012
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
DD
Max Length
17.6 cm
Trophic Level
3.5
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Genus
Protanguilla
Protanguilla
Species
Palauan primitive cave eel
Protanguilla palau

🐟 Physical Description

Gill opening terminates as ovoid tube with low, fringed collar; pseudobranch present; knob-like, toothed gill rakers present; premaxilla present, autogenous; symplectic autogenous; metapterygoid present; anterior end of vomer with small, ovoid, autogenous toothplate; body relatively short, total vertebrae 87 or fewer (79–87, mean ¼ 83.3); hypurals 3 and 4 not fused to each other; pterosphenoid not excluded from posterior margin of orbit .: eel-like.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Palauan primitive cave eel is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Palauan primitive cave eel is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Palauan primitive cave eel is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 35 - ? m . Tropical; 9°N - 6°N, 134°E - 135°E known from a western fringing reef of Ngemelis Island, in a reef cave at 35 m depth.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.5±0.6

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00102 × L3.06 (TL)
Max TL
17.6cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Data Deficient
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Johnson, Ida & Sakaue, 2012

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