Description:

Vertebrae: 163-177.

Slender (body diameter to about 14 mm) garden eel. Large eyes. Anterior nostrils included in continuous free labial flange. Pectoral fins minute.

Colour. Pale to white body covered in small irregular black spots. Three prominent black patches located on the body. One around gill opening 
and pectoral fin, the second midway along body and the third surrounds the anus. Juveniles are entirely black. 
 

Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 40.0 cm TL. 
 

Inhabits sandy bottoms near coral reefs (depth 15-45 m). Form burrows, from which they emerge partially into the water column and face into the current to 
feed on zooplankton. Retreat into burrows when approached. Usually in colonies containing up to several hundred individuals. The sexes are separate and 
fertilisation is external. Potential mates from adjacent burrows reach across to entwine their bodies during spawning without full leaving their respective 
burrows. The eggs and larvae are pelagic.

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

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

Bray, D.J. Heteroconger hassi in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/3913 (10/09/22). 
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.in/summary/Heteroconger-hassi.html (10/09/22). 
McGrouther, M. (2019). Spotted Garden Eel, Heteroconger hassi (Klausewitz & Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1959). https://australian.museum/learn/animals/fishes/spotted-garden-eel-heteroconger-hassi-klausewitz-eibl-eibesfeldt-1959/ (10/09/22). 
Tighe, K. et al. (2019). Heteroconger hassi. The IUCN Red List 2019: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T198985A2546860.en. (10/09/22).

Nevill, J.E.G., Brighton, E. & Mason-Parker, C. (2022). Heteroconger hassi, Spotted garden-eel. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/heteroconger-hassi-klausewitz-eibl-eibesfeldt-1959/