Gymnothorax miliaris (Kaup, 1856)
Goldentail moray
Gymnothorax miliaris
photo by Patzner, R.

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae
Max. size:  70 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 60 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Bermuda and southern Florida, USA to the Antilles (Ref. 26340) and southeast Brazil (Ref. 42064). Eastern Atlantic: St. Paul's Rocks (Ref. 13121), Cape Verde, Ascension and St. Helena islands (Ref. 4450). Also mid-Atlantic islands (Ref. 26938).
Diagnosis:  Dark brown with numerous yellow dots, smallest on head and largest toward end of tail where they are irregular and confluent (Ref. 13442). Stout moray with a short blunt snout. Tip of tail always pale, usually deep yellow in life. Posterior nostril in short tube (Ref. 26938).
Biology:  A benthic and solitary species (Ref. 26340) inhabiting coral reefs and rocky shorelines. Usually at depths of 60 m (Ref. 26938). One of the most common and easily recognized morays of the West Indian reefs, active during the day and sometimes hunting together with other predators (Ref. 42064). This species has been called Muraena miliaris (Ref. 26938).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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