Description:

Dorsal spines: 0; Anal spines: 0.

A medium sized moray with narrow curved jaws. Projecting tubular anterior nostrils on the snout. Posterior nostrils thick upward tubes, longer than 
anterior nostrils, above the front of the eyes. 

Colour: Variable colouration, with brown, white, yellow, orange or dark brown irregular spots and bars on the body, head and fins.

Size:

Maturity: Unknown. Max length: 92 cm TL.
 

Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits rocky and coral reefs (depth 8-60 m). A benthic, nocturnal species. Feeds on crustaceans and small fishes. Widespread across the Indo-Pacific, 
though uncommon throughout it’s range.
 

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is not subject to the artisanal fishery.

Notes:

Photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. 
Photograph taken at Alphonse group (01/03/22).

References:

Chen, H-M. et al (1994). A Review of the Muraenid Eels (Family Muraenidae) from Taiwan with Descriptions of Twelve New Records. Zoological Studies 33(1) 44-64 (1994).
Dianne J. Bray, Enchelycore pardalis in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4926 (19/05/23). 
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2023). FishBase. Enchelycore pardalis. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Enchelycore-pardalis.html (19/05/23). 
Heemstra, P.C. et al. (2022). Coastal Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean (Volume 2, SAIAB, South Africa
Smith, D.G. et al. (2019). Enchelycore pardalis. The IUCN Red List 2019. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T195696A2404265.en. (19/05/23). 
 

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G., Brighton, E. & Mason-Parker, C. (2023). Enchelycore pardalis, Dragon moray eel. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/enchelycore-pardalis-temminck-schlegel-1846/