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Elongate shore eel (Alabes elongata) — Gobiesocidae

Elongate shore eel

Alabes elongata
Family: Gobiesocidae

The Elongate shore eel (Alabes elongata) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–15.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The Elongate shore eel is a shore eel (Gobiesocidae) from shallow rocky and seagrass water of southern Australia. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a very slender, eel-like, scaleless body with strongly reduced fins and a pointed head. As a bottom-dweller it wriggles among weed, seagrass and stones of tide pools and snaps at small crustaceans and invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Elongate shore eel?

The Elongate shore eel has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Elongate shore eel live?

The Elongate shore eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Elongate shore eel get?

The Elongate shore eel grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Elongate shore eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Elongate shore eel is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Elongate shore eel sourced
Scientific name
Alabes elongata
Family
Gobiesocidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Alabes

More from the family Gobiesocidae

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