| Family: |
Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae |
| Max. size: |
86.8 cm TL (female) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 20 m |
| Distribution: |
Northwest Pacific: Taiwan. |
| Diagnosis: |
Vertebrae: 141-141. This medium-sized species is distinguished by the following characters: typical muraenid shape, anus at mid-point of body; high dorsal fin; eyes above the mid-jaw; jaws slightly arched, do not completely close; cephalic sensory pores are small; uniserial teeth, are slender and pointed; predorsal vertebrae 4, preanal vertebrae 57-59, total vertebrae 141. Colouration: brown or gray-brown body; several rows of large dark brown patches on back of body and dorsal fin; patches are obscure during daytime and becoming obvious at night; dorsal head dark brown and spotless; when alive, the fins with fine greyish-white margins but these are invisible when preserved; inner skin of nostrils and head pores are whitish; oral cavity uniform brown; throat grooves are darkish; iris of the eye reddish-brown (Ref. 127463). |
| Biology: |
The holotype was reared from 10 June 2002 until 4 February 2005 in a laboratory aquarium. It accidentally crawled out of the aquarium during the night and died. It was dissected and many mature eggs were found in its abdominal cavity. The mature eggs were between 0.8-1.2 mm in diameter, and batch fecundity was about 20,000 eggs. Under microscope, there was the other immature egg group in its ovaries, the diameters of oocytes were about 0.15-0.26 mm. The paratype was also reared until its death on 22 September 2008. Under the microscope, its gonads belonged to immature ovaries, with 2 groups of oocytes with different egg diameter interval ranges: the larger group was 0.17-0.26 mm, while the smaller group was 0.07-0.13 mm. The two specimens were fed with fish and squid meat (Ref. 127463). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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