Red Sea Garden Eel

Gorgasia sillneri, a species within the Congridae family of garden eels, was first described by Wolfgang Klausewitz in 1962. This marine, tropical eel is native to the Gulf of Aqaba in the 🌊 Red Sea, part of the western 🌊 Indian Ocean. Notably, G. sillneri is typically found in colonies inhabiting sand slopes, with males reaching a maximum length of 83.8 centimeters (33.0 inches).

The species is named in honor of Ludwig Sillner (1914–1973), a distinguished German underwater photographer who was instrumental in collecting the holotype specimen and contributed significant observations regarding its ecological behavior and coloration.

Reproductive activity in Gorgasia sillneri commences early in the morning. Each individual within a colony occupies its own burrow, extending into the water column for plankton feeding. During the pre-spawning phase, males and females adjust their burrow positions in proximity to each other, although it remains unclear which sex initiates this movement. Subsequently, males engage in protective behaviors to shield females from rival males, with intense inter-male competition being prevalent.

On the spawning day, specific courtship behaviors are observed: the male extends towards the female and both fish display their dorsal fins prominently. The male then engages in physical contact by rubbing his head along the female’s body. If the female is not ready to spawn, she will retreat into her burrow; conversely, if receptive, she will extend towards the male, encircling his body with hers to align their urogenital openings. This mating embrace may persist for nine hours or more, culminating in the spawning event.