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Red eel (Myroconger compressus) — Myrocongridae

Red eel

Myroconger compressus
Family: Myrocongridae

The Red eel (Myroconger compressus) is a saltwater fish of the family Myrocongridae that grows up to 54 cm.

Length
53.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The red eel is a rare, eel-shaped eel (Myrocongridae) from coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic, around island groups. The species grows to about 54 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, bright-red, scaleless body with a pointed head. As a cryptic bottom-dweller it hides in crevices and cavities of rocky reefs and snaps at small crustaceans and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Red eel?

The Red eel has a snake-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Red eel live?

The Red eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Red eel get?

The Red eel grows to a maximum of about 54 cm.

Is the Red eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Red eel is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rode aal sourced
English name
Red eel sourced
Scientific name
Myroconger compressus
Family
Myrocongridae
Other names
Red eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
53.8 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Myroconger

More from the family Myrocongridae

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