Echidna nebulosa (Ahl 1789)

Body white with 2 rows of large dendritic black blotches; black spots between blotches become irregularly linear with age. Yellow eyes (Ref. 48635).Description: Characterized by body depth at gill opening 14-23 in TL; origin of dorsal fin above or slightly anterior to gill opening; anus near middle of body; without canine teeth; conical to rounded molariform jaw teeth; vomer with rounded molariform teeth in two rows that diverge anteriorly in large individuals (Ref. 90102).

Protogyny unconfirmed (Ref. 84746).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 0; Vertebrae: 119 - 126

Found between rocks and corals of intertidal reef flats, also in shallow lagoon and seaward reefs to depths of at least 10 m (Ref. 9710, 58302). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Occasionally leaves the water and travels between tidal pools (Ref. 1602). Feeds on fish and crabs, mainly on crustaceans (Ref. 1602). Also Ref. 9137, 58534. Number of strikes and time to locate a capture a prey did not differ significantly, whether feeding on small or large prey. Prey manipulation and feeding involve behaviors such as orientation, 'M' (i.e., the eel moves in a general forward and/or reverse direction, possibly forming an "M" configuration), rotation, shaking, releasing and feeding when feeding on small prey; however, behaviors such as orientation, 'M,' rotation, knotting 1, knotting 2, probing, releasing and feeding define those which feed on large prey. Manipulating and feeding on different sizes varies in terms of time involved; larger prey takes six times as long as small prey (Ref. 118229).

Found between rocks and corals of intertidal reef flats, also in shallow lagoon and seaward reefs to depths of at least 10 m (Ref. 9710, 58302). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Nocturnal (Ref. 68964). Feed mainly on crustaceans. Protogynous hermaphroditism unconfirmed for this species (Ref. 84746). Safely kept with small aquarium fishes (Ref. 9710). Solitary, seen usually in the open or with only head exposed (Ref 90102).

fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family