| Family: |
Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae |
| Max. size: |
140 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 5 - 100 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: East Africa (Ref. 26165) to the Galapagos, Cocos, and Clipperton islands; north to the Hawaiian and Ryukyu islands; south to Australia and the Kermadec Islands. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0; Vertebrae: 128-135. Greyish and speckled with irregular, dark markings (Ref. 3257). Young yellowish with hollow-centered spots which becomes less conspicuous with age (Ref. 3257). Lacks the molariform teeth as well as the depressible vomerine fangs present in most Gymnothorax and have two rows of vomerine teeth (Ref. 37816).
Description: Characterized by body depth at gill opening 15-22 in TL; origin of dorsal fin above or slightly anterior to gill opening; anus at middle of body (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Adults inhabit reef flats and rocky intertidal shorelines. Feed on small fishes and crustaceans, sometimes leaving the water in pursuit of prey (Ref. 9710, 48635). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Simultaneous hermaphroditism is confirmed for this species (Ref. 103751). Caught with various nets (Ref. 30573). Solitary (Ref 90102). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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