Depth
Echelus · Bony Fish

Painted Eel

Echelus myrus

Variable
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
Variable
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Variable
Habitat
Variable
Diet
Variable
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Moderate
Sighting Likelihood
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassActinopterygii
GenusEchelus
Speciesmyrus

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationRobust, cylindrical eel with a blunt snout. Pale yellowish-brown body with a pattern of darker brown blotches and markings. Distinct from other eels by its patterned body and relatively stout build.
  • SizeUp to 100 cm total length, commonly 40 to 60 cm.
  • Social HabitSolitary and nocturnal. Buries in sandy and muddy substrates during the day.
  • HabitatSandy and muddy bottoms, often near seagrass beds and reef edges.
  • Depth5 to 100 m, most common between 10 and 40 m.
  • Feeds OnSmall crustaceans and worms found in and on the sediment.
  • DistributionEastern Atlantic from Portugal to West Africa, including the Mediterranean Sea.
  • DescriptionA secretive, burrowing eel with attractive mottled colouration. It spends most of the day buried in sandy substrate with just its head exposed, emerging at night to forage. Less commonly seen than the conger or Mediterranean moray, making an encounter a noteworthy find.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

Found across the Mediterranean Sea. Habitat and depth details to be confirmed.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

Loading…

Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Habitat details for Painted Eel to be confirmed. Most commonly encountered in Mediterranean waters.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

Painted Eel species card

Dive with diveshack

Where to Encounter in Malta

Dive sites where Echelus myrus may be encountered will be added as sighting data is collected.

IUCN Red ListLeast Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes.

Source: IUCN Red List
diveshack Mediterranean Marine Life guide