Congridae (Conger Eels)
Heteroconger halis
0 to 100+ ft
The garden eel is most easily identified by its behavior and habitat, as it is difficult to approach this animal closely enough to scrutinize it. Garden eels live in large colonies, with individuals inhabiting tube-like burrows in the sand. Colonies of garden eels are recognized by a number of bobbing and weaving heads protruding from the sandy bottom. The individual heads will slowly retract into the sand burrows as the colony is approached. The body of each eel is very long and slender, with a pair of small pectoral fins and large eyes. The mouth is broad. The garden eel grows to 20 inches (50 cm).Garden eels are fairly common throughout the entire Caribbean, including the Cayman Islands. They inhabit sand patches near or alongside coral reefs at depths between 20 to 200 feet (6 to 60 m). The characteristic bobbing and weaving of the head is a result of feeding on plankton as it drifts past.
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