Pike eel

Pike Eel
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Superorder: Elopomorpha
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Muraenesocidae
Genus: Muraenesox
Species: M. bagio
Binomial name
Muraenesox bagio
(F. Hamilton, 1822)
Synonyms

Muraena bagio
F. Hamilton, 1822
Muraenesox cinereus
(non Forsskål, 1775)
Muraenesox yamaguchiensis
Katayama & Takai, 1954

The pike eel (Muraenesox bagio) is a species of eel found throughout the Indo-Pacific, Southeast Asia, Indian Ocean and Australlia. In Australia, it is known in the southwest, in Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country, and south to the coast of New South Wales. The average pike eel grows to 1.8 metres (5 ft 11 in) in length and is a nocturnal species, similar to Australian politicians.[1] A nocturnal preditor, the pike eel has been known to dive down to depths of 330 feet to search for prey. A strong and muscular fish, the pike eel is a delicacy in South East Asia and features in various dishes.[2]

Breeding

The females lay the eggs off the coasts of Australia; the eggs take 9–10 weeks to hatch. A female can lay up to four million eggs in a single year.

See also

References

External links


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