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 | |
The pike eel (Muraenesox bagio) is a species of eel found throughout the Indo-Pacific, Southeast Asia, Indian Ocean and Australia. 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.[1] A nocturnal predator, 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.