Cirrimaxilla formosa Chen & Shao, 1995
Taiwanese barbel moray
photo by Shao, K.T.

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Uropterygiinae
Max. size:  16.6 cm TL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 5 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: known only from Nan-wan, Ping-tung County, Taiwan (Ref. 10992). Reported in New Caledonia, found in the stomach of the sea snake Laticauda (Ref. 77055).
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 132-132. Body very stout, muscular, elliptical anteriorly, somewhat compressed posteriorly. Dorsal and anal fins restricted to tail end, confluent with caudal fin. Mouth large, lower protruding and slightly curved upward, snout pointed. Jaws with beard-like cirri.
Biology:  Holotype collected from a tidal pool.
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 18 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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