The Hawaiian Garden Eel hides in sandy burrows on the ocean floor, emerging only to eat plankton and retreating back when danger is detected.
Off the coast of Oahu lies an underwater “prairie.” This is the habitat of hundreds of Hawaiian Garden Eels. These creatures are inherently shy and are found exclusively in Hawaiian waters.
This species typically congregates in the eastern central Pacific. They do not migrate, which limits their activity, residing at depths ranging from 11 to 53 meters and forming burrows in the sand. Males can reach a maximum length of nearly 60 cm.
The Hawaiian Garden Eel is a shy creature.
Hawaiian Garden Eels typically appear at sunrise and retreat into their burrows at sunset, making them diurnal creatures. Their burrows are often found in shallow waters, but larger burrows are located in deeper areas.
They extend only part of their bodies out of the burrow to feed on plankton. Interestingly, Hawaiian Garden Eels spend their entire lives remaining in one spot to avoid the gaze of predatory sharks that could appear at any moment. When threatened, they immediately retract back into their burrows.
Thanks to the currents bringing food directly to them, each individual remains anchored in place for its entire life without moving elsewhere.
When danger arises, the entire group quickly retreats into their burrows.
Additionally, the presence of large eyes allows Hawaiian Garden Eels to detect lurking tiger sharks early on. Whenever they sense movement, the entire group retracts into their burrows. However, the tiger sharks merely circle around, seemingly uninterested in the hundreds of fragile creatures below, instead heading towards a more suitable meal located approximately 800 km to the northwest. Once the danger passes, the group resurfaces.
Moreover, another source of their fear comes from the fierce territorial battles among the males.
