How long are ribbon eels

Black Phase juvenile : Ribbon eels begin life as juveniles which are easily recognised by the bright yellow dorsal fin which runs the length of their dark, black bodies. Yellow Phase female : As the male ribbon eel continues to grow and at approximately 1. Female stage ribbon eels are able to lay eggs. Ribbon eels are found predominantly on healthy coral reefs but they also seem to thrive on damaged reefs too where the bottom composition is mainly sand and rubble.

Usually it is only the ribbon eels head and upper body that are visible as they live burrow in the sand and hide under rocks and in crevices. Ribbon eels have long protruding nostrils which are almost seahorse like in appearance. Ribbon eels use their nostrils to sense vibrations in the water which helps them to hunt and defend themselves.

As with moray eels, divers often mistake ribbon eels as being aggressive as they are commonly seen with their mouths opening and closing in what could be interpreted as a threatening manner when they are in fact just breathing. Look carefully when a ribbon eels mouth is open — their razor-like teeth are tiny but quite menacing! The Blue Ribbon eel Rhinomuraena quaesita is one of the most attractive underwater creatures with their tiny dragon head and long elegant bodies. A favorite subject for underwater photographers and an aquarium creature best left on the reef.

Keeping ribbon eels is reserved for only the most advanced saltwater aquarists. These iconic eels get their name from the thin ribbon-like dorsal markings and their undulating swimming pattern. Ribbon eels can stretch up to 4 feet in maximum length and adult ribbon eels have a blue body with a yellow dorsal fin.

One interesting characteristic of the ribbon eel R. As the ribbon eel transitions from the juvenile phase into an adult male or female, their color patterns change. The iconic blue coloration is only one phase adult male. At one time it was thought that ribbon eels of each color phase actually represented different species altogether but we know now it is only part of growth transitions. This colour combination is only found in males:. But an all-male population?

Eventually, they become entirely female, which allows them to start laying eggs. Like the juvenile and adult male forms, this new stage of life is also very easy to identify — the females lose the blue, and become all yellow:. Ribbon eels are found in the warm lagoons and coastal reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with native populations off the coast of Australia, New Caledonia, Japan, East Africa and French Polynesia.

Unlike most species, ribbon eels tend to live long lives in the wild — they often reach 20 years old if left to their own devices.

But in captivity, they only survive for a couple of years, with many in the pet trade dying after just one month in an aquarium or tank. So we really should just leave them alone, and let them be celebrities in their own habitats, like this awesome ribbon eel, which has become famous just outside a resort in the Philippines:.

A stunning reptile with a secret in its tail, the tokay gecko captivates anyone that encounters it. When a crab with a bright pink and purple shell covered in strange golden hairs tries to tell you something, you should probably listen. With a luxurious coat of fur that resembles the colour of fresh hot chocolate, the chocolate wattled bat is one cute critter. Close Menu. Facebook Twitter Instagram Instagram Adventure.

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