Uropterygius macrocephalus (Bleeker, 1864)
Needle-tooth moray
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Uropterygiinae
Max. size:  47 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 14 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea (Ref. 84159); Reunion and Mauritius (Ref. 33390), Seychelles (Ref. 10685); Christmas Island to the Society Islands, north to southern Japan and the Hawaiian islands. Eastern Pacific: southern Gulf of California to Ecuador, including the Revillagigedo, Cocos, and Galapagos islands (Ref. 9324). Specimen from Thailand needs further comparison (Ref. 1632).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0; Vertebrae: 102-119. Teeth biserial. Description: Characterized by brown color; head and body covered with dense network of stellate white to yellowish blotches; body depth at gill opening about 13-21 in TL; rudimentary fins; anus anterior or posterior to middle of body; preanal length 1.9-2.3 in TL; large head, 6.4-8.0 in TL; gill opening low on side; numerous teeth, in two rows in jaws, inner row of slender canines; front of upper jaw with longest teeth medially (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  This species inhabits exposed seaward reefs to a depth of 14 m or more (Ref. 37816). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Solitary in crevices, rarely seen (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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