Photo by Mika d’Eau
What Type Of Animal Is A Ribbon Eel?
Ribbon eels are also known as blue ribbon eels and they are a species of moray eels. The ribbon eel is the only protandric hermaphrodite eel, meaning they are capable of changing sex to female if there is a shortage of females in the environment.
Where Can Ribbon Eels Be Found?
Their natural habitat consists mainly of warm coastal reefs and shallow lagoons. Moreover, you can spot them across the Indo-Pacific Ocean. They also live near Western Australia and the Great Barrier Reef.
How Do Ribbon Eels Look Like?
Adult males typically reach a size between 63 and 91 cm. Meanwhile, females grow up to 132 cm long. Consequently, they count as medium-sized creatures compared to other moray species.
Furthermore, their appearance changes through different life stages:
Juveniles: They start with a jet-black body and a bright yellow dorsal fin.
Adult Males: Their body turns into a brilliant electric blue, while the mouth develops yellow patches.
Females: Mature females transition into a lemon-yellow color.
Ghost Eels: Sometimes, divers also encounter white ghost ribbon eels.
Who Do Ribbon Eels Live With?
Ribbon eels are known to bury themselves in the crevices of the reef. Their slender bodies allow them to fit in seemingly impossible places. Male ribbon eels are not territorial in nature and therefore stay with other males for a long period of time, sharing the same cavers for months or even years without changing places. The juveniles usually live on their own.
What Does A Ribbon Eel Eat?
Ribbon eels hunt as carnivores. They prey primarily on small fish and tiny shrimp. Whenever small animals swim too close, the eels strike quickly.
Moreover, they use their sensitive nostrils to detect water vibrations. This keen sense helps them hunt successfully and defend themselves against predators.
How Do They Reproduce?
The reproduction cycle is truly unique. Males and females meet only once for mating. After mating, the female lays leaf-like eggs and dies shortly after.
Because of this short lifespan, divers rarely observe female ribbon eels. After hatching, the tiny larvae float in the open ocean for about eight weeks.
How Long Does A Ribbon Eel Live?
The lifespan of a ribbon eel is about 20 years in the wild, while their lifespan reduces drastically when kept in captivity.
How Do They Communicate?
Ribbon eel communication is mostly through touch and chemical stimulation. The chemical is released by them in the water which is further detected by the same species and then they read it by creating a reaction. Ribbon eel noises are said to be a high-pitch click that last for a few seconds.
What’s The Ribbon Eels Major Threats?
The major threat for ribbon eels is the aquarium trade. Ribbon eels are very sought after for keeping as a pet in a saltwater aquarium back home. Unfortunately, in captivity they won’t live for very long, so the demand for them keeps rising, while the prices range to up to 500$ per animal.
