New eel record for Lord Howe Island!

Caitlin Woods submitted this very cool image of a Blackfin Snake Eel, Ophichthus altipennis, taken on a night dive in March 2017. It turns out this species had not previously been recorded from Lord Howe Island.

Caitlin's observation represents a huge range extension for the species.

The Blackfin Snake Eel occurs in tropical and sub-tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is known from Western Australia, the Northern Territory and northern Queensland. It is a burrowing species that usually occurs in shallow waters on soft seabeds.

As if that wasn't enough, Caitlin's sensational image of a Striate Anglerfish with Lord Howe Island's iconic Mounts Lidgbird and Gower in the background, was recently iNaturalist's Observation of the Day.

As if that wasn't enough, Caitlin's sensational image of a Striate Anglerfish with Lord Howe Island's iconic Mounts Lidgbird and Gower in the background, was recently iNaturalist's Observation of the Day.

Congratulations Caitlin!