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.
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.
Behavioural data for Palauan primitive cave eel is currently being reviewed.
Diet information for Palauan primitive cave eel is currently being compiled.
Reproduction data for Palauan primitive cave eel is currently being compiled.
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.
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