The Marine Drag Queen
Scientific name : Rhinomuranea Quaesita
The ribbon Eel is the only member of its genus. Scientists thought for a long time that there were 3 types of ribbon eel, the black, the blue, and the yellow species. But now we know they form a unique species changing sex and colour during its lifespan!
1) ITS HABITAT
Ribbon eels can live up to 20 years, and can grow up to 1 meter long. The biggest individual observed measured 1,30 m.
| You can find the Ribbon eel in sandy areas around reefs and lagoons of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. It can be found in very shallow waters down to 60m. It usually stays in the same cave for months or even years and two individuals (usually adult males) can be seen sharing the same hole. |  Ribbon Eels are rarely sighted out of their hole |
2) ITS BEHAVIOR
 | The ribbon eel is a carnivore which preys on small fish and other animals that swim too close to their hole. They can be generally observed poking their head out of their hole waiting to catch prey as it wanders past. |
3) ITS COLORATION TELL ITS AGE AND GENDER
 Ribbon eels are first males: black with a yellow dorsal fin |  Maturing individuals become female : a blue and yellow ribbon eel |  Yellow Ribbon Eels are older female, ready to find a mate |
Every individual is born as male.
Juveniles and sub-adults are black with a yellow dorsal fin. When they reach adulthood, they keep the yellow fin but the body turns blue and starts developing female reproductive organs.
When they reach their full size, they turn into female and change their color to complete yellow.
They will then find a mate, lay their eggs, and die within a month.
Juveniles and sub-adults are black with a yellow dorsal fin. When they reach adulthood, they keep the yellow fin but the body turns blue and starts developing female reproductive organs.
When they reach their full size, they turn into female and change their color to complete yellow.
They will then find a mate, lay their eggs, and die within a month.
 Ribbon eel Larvae on a blackwater dive- Thailand 2022 | It is due to their short lifespan that the female ribbon eels are rarely observed. The ribbon is the only protandric hermaphrodite eel, meaning they are capable of changing sex to female if there is a shortage of natural females in the environment. Ever seen a Ribbon Eel Larvae? We regularly spot them on our blackwater dives! Totally transparent, you would easily take them for a jelly of some sort before you see them swimming towards you with bright eyes!! You can even see their tube gut (the stripe down the middle). |
 Can you guess the gender of these beautiful ones? |  |
4) ITS MAJOR THREATS.Did you know that the major threat of this species is the aquarium trade?? While writing this post, I found more websites giving advice about keeping the animal alive in captivity, or selling them, than information about the animal itself... Better to leave them in their natural habitat and observe them while scuba diving, don't you think...? Come see them in Thailand and Myanmar while they are still around :) Subscribe to our blog to learn more intersting facts about the wonderful Marine Life we have in Thailand. |  |
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