Super Rare Purple Eel Gobys: The Monsters Lurking in the Depths of Taihu Lake

by Born of Water on March 10, 2023
Purple Eel Goby
Credit: u/purple-circle/Reddit - Credit: Rex

Move over, Loch Ness Monster. There's a new creepy creature in town, and it goes by the name of the purple goby eel. Described as the stuff of nightmares, this rare eel has been causing quite a stir since it was spotted lurking in China's Taihu Lake.

With its black eyes, chomping teeth, and angry-looking facial expression, the purple goby eel looks like it could be the cousin of the Chestburster creature from the Alien movies. But don't worry, you don't need to pack your bags and move to another planet just yet. Unlike its cinematic counterpart, this freaky fish is only around 30cm long and feeds on small fish and crustaceans, not unsuspecting humans and space marines.

So, what is this strange creature, and why is it causing such a fuss? Well, the purple goby eel is actually part of a group called Eelgobies or Wormgobies, which are found in fresh and brackish estuaries, coastal marine waters, and sometimes even in lakes like Taihu. They have poorly developed eyes, often covered by skin, which is why they rely on touch rather than sight to catch their prey. And when they do find lunch, they don't want to let it go, hence the ferocious teeth.

But what makes the purple goby eel truly terrifying is its appearance. With its purple-brownish hue and weird head, it looks like something straight out of a horror movie.

Alien Chestburster
Chesterburster - Aliens Credit: 20th Century Fox

A Rare and Unusual Sight

The purple goby eel is typically found in coastal waters, rivers, and brackish estuaries in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans. However, the recent spotting of the creature in Taihu Lake has caused quite a stir. It is unusual for this species to venture so far away from its natural habitat, making this sighting even more rare and exciting for fish enthusiasts.

Physical Appearance and Characteristics

The purple goby eel is a small creature, growing up to 30cm long, and has a purple-brown hue with a strange-looking head and ferocious teeth. Its black eyes and angry facial expression make it look like a creature straight out of a horror movie. The fish's poorly developed eyes are often covered by skin because it lives in turbid water and relies on touch rather than sight to catch its prey.

Feeding Habits

The purple goby eel typically feeds on small fish and crustaceans. It has a suction cap under its gut that it uses to cling to the bottom of the lake or river, waiting for its prey to come within reach. Once it has caught its prey, it uses its ferocious teeth to hold onto it tightly, making it difficult for the prey to escape.

Migration and Survival Techniques

The purple goby eel is an amphidromous species, which means it regularly migrates between the sea and freshwater environments. It can survive out of water for long periods by taking air into its bronchial chambers and swimming in mud. This ability allows the creature to travel long distances, making it an adaptable and resilient species.

The purple goby eel is an enigmatic creature that has caught the attention of fish enthusiasts and experts alike. Its terrifying appearance and rare sightings make it a fascinating species to study. While it may look like a nightmare creature from a horror movie, it poses no threat to humans and tends to feed on small fish and crustaceans. Its ability to migrate between freshwater and saltwater environments and survive out of water for long periods make it a resilient and adaptable species.

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