Kaupichthys atronasus Schultz, 1953
Black-nostril false moray
photo by Winterbottom, R.

Family:  Chlopsidae (False morays)
Max. size:  12 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 20 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Chagos Islands to Samoa, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef; throughout Micronesia.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 107-112. Description: Characterized by its mottled light and dark brown color with blackish snout tip; dark area around eye; broad pale band (with brown irregular patches dorsally) on head behind the eye; dorsal fin with dark speckling; dorsal fin behind gill opening; greatest body depth 27-31 in TL; snout to dorsal-fin origin 6.6-7.2 in TL; snout to anus about 3.2-3.4 in TL; HL 7.5-7.7 in TL; snout length 4.4-4.5 in HL; depressed snout about as broad as long; large eye over posterior part of gape, about 1.8-2.0 in snout length; projecting upper jaw; upper and lower jaws with small, multiserial conical teeth; vomerine teeth in two widely separated rows (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  A small uncommon species which inhabits coral heads to depths of at least 14 m.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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