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Splendid Garden Eel
Gorgasia preclara
The splendid garden eel is native to the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific area and can grow up to 16 inches in length. They spend most of their time in their burrows in the sand and will pull their heads in if a predator is nearby.
Range & Habitat
In the Wild: Maldives to New Guinea; north to the Ryukyus; south to the Philippines to the Coral Sea.
At the Zoo: Aquariums
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Diet
In the Wild: Drifting plankton and other microorganisms that travel with the current.
At the Zoo: Microorganisms like brine shrimp, mysis, cyclops, daphnia and live artemia
Life Span
In the Wild / In Human Care – 35-40 years (although there is not a lot of data on this).
Fun Facts about the Splendid Garden Eel
- They are also known as the Orange barred Garden Eel.
- Live in colonies that can consist of thousands of individuals.
- Can easily be disturbed and will retract into its burrow.
- Diet consists of zooplankton it picks from the current as it flows past. For this reason, all the eels in a colony generally face the same direction: into the current.
Sources
Tropical Diver, Splendid Garden Eel. Retrieved 10/21/18. https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/animal-guide/georgia aquarium/home/galleries/tropical-diver/gallery-animals/splendid-garden-eel
Fish Base, Gorgasia-preclara. Retrieved 10/21/18: http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Gorgasia-preclara.html
Updated June 13, 2023
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