| Family: |
Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae |
| Max. size: |
72.3 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 20 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (Ref. 33390) to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Tuamoto islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0; Vertebrae: 132-137. Body grey with fine pale barring (Ref. 48635). Young with 25-30 dark brown bars separated by white narrow interspaces; bars become obscure with age where in large adults, the pattern becomes mottled brown; corner of mouth dark brown. Head usually lighter, yellowish with variable dark blotching (Ref. 48635).
Description: Characterized by origin of dorsal fin anterior to gill opening; anus near middle of body; without canine teeth; conical to rounded molariform jaw teeth; broad plate vomer of molariform teeth (up to over 50 in large individuals) (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits reef flats, clear shallow lagoons, and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Feeds mainly on small crustaceans during both day and night (Ref. 9710). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
| Country info: |
Also Ref. 45255. In range Ref. 2334. |
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