According to Notícias ao Minuto, MARE reveals that the species measuring more than one metre in length "is a nocturnal predator known for ambush hunting of small fish and crustaceans".

"With no records in the Atlantic other than this first appearance in national waters, scientists are now asking themselves how it arrived in this area and what preventive measures can be taken to avoid the arrival of other specimens".

According to MARE, the eel commonly known as the Brummer moray eel, white ribbon eel or ghost eel "is a very common species in places such as the Western Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Western Indian Ocean, that is, all very distant from the place where it was now found". "When it was sighted, it was at a depth of 1 to 2 meters, next to the fishing port of Porto Covo", he said.

During a night dive, researcher Joaquim Parrinha filmed the eel, then sent the recording to his coordinator, Sónia Seixas, who had no doubts about its identification. "This species has the particularity of curling itself in a very specific way, resembling a 'strip of paper'. The specimen observed was very active and appeared to be in good physical condition," she highlighted.

"It may have come in ballast water, or through aquarium hobbyists, since they are sold in Europe as an ornamental species for saltwater aquariums", explained Sónia Seixas.

Due to the location where it was found, MARE believes more in the first option, "due to its proximity to the Port of Sines".