Added: Feb 2, 2012

From: snorkelmaui2008

Duration: 1:31

The Barred sand conger (Ariosoma fasciatum) is a type of conger eel that lives in the Pacific Ocean. They are found in Madagascar, Indonesia, Marshall Islands, Hawai'i, and Tahiti. They may grow up to 60 centimetres (24 in). It is also known as the barred sand conger. Congridae is the family of conger and garden eels. Congers are valuable and often large food fishes, while garden eels live in colonies, all protruding from the sea floor after the manner of plants in a garden (thus the name).[1] The family includes over 180 species in 32 genera. The European conger Conger conger is the largest of the family; it has been recorded at up to 3 metres (9.8 ft) in length and weighing 350 pounds (160 kg).[2] Congrids are found in tropical, subtropical and temperate seas across the world. There are few clear distinguishing features among congrids, although they all lack scales, and most possess pectoral fins. They feed on crustaceans and small fish, and, unlike some other eels, do not migrate to breed.[3] Eels are elongated fish, ranging in length from 5 centimetres (2.0 in) in the one-jawed eel (Monognathus ahlstromi) to 4 metres (13 ft) in the slender giant moray.[2] Adults range in weight from 30 grams to well over 25 kilograms. They possess no pelvic fins, and many species also lack pectoral fins. The dorsal and anal fins are fused with the caudal or tail fin, forming a single ribbon running along much of the length of the animal.[1] Most eels live in the shallow waters of the ocean and burrow into sand, mud, among rocks, or in cracks found in coral reefs. A majority of eel species are nocturnal, and thus are rarely seen. Sometimes, they are seen living together in holes, or "eel pits". Some species of eels also live in deeper water on the continental shelves and over the slopes deep as 4,000 metres (13,000 ft). Only members of the Anguillidae family regularly inhabit fresh water, but they too return to the sea to breed.[3] Eels begin life as flat and transparent larvae, or leptocephali. Eel larvae drift in the surface waters of the sea feeding on marine snow, small particles that float in the water. Eel larvae then metamorphose into glass eels and then become elvers before finally seeking out their juvenile and adult habitats.[2]Short description Colorful congrid with a stiff caudal fin adapted for rapid backward burrowing

Channel: Travel

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