Eel ID -- Can You Help?

[JW13]

Took a picture of this eel on Bonaire recently and I'm not sure what species it is.

I'm thinking it is a Goldentail Moray exhibiting an uncommon color reversal, but that's just a guess. What do you think?

 

[redacted]

Yes, goldentail moray.

 

[robint]

yes, goldentail. Colors vary a bit but the main thing is size (goldentails are always small, ranging from size of your index finger to maybe size of a hotdog in diameter and never more than a foot long). Once you find one, you will start seeing them everywhere, too. They are very common throughout the Caribbean.

robin

 

[DiverVince]

I'm not an expert but that would be my guess also..

 

[Arubandi07]

Goldentail, looked it up, color reversal(described exactly as seen in your pic), is listed as a rare variation. Congrats on getting that shot...

 

[Cecil]

Love those guys.

 

[highlandfarmwv]

I've seen them quite a bit bigger than hot dog diameter. Several that color near Tories Reef.

 

[JW13]

I've seen them quite a bit bigger than hot dog diameter. Several that color near Tories Reef.

The picture in the original post was taken at Tori's Reef also. Wonder if it's successive generations of this odd color variation......that is, why multiple sightings at this one site of what appear to be different animals?

 

[Cecil]

My shot is from 2009 and the Rock Pile on the Klein, it was also shallow taken while snorkeling. He was pretty small maybe 3" diameter.

 

[drrich2]

Looks like a banana with teeth. Very cute; nice shot!

Richard.