Gymnothorax punctatofasciatus Bleeker, 1863
Bars'n spots moray
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae
Max. size:  50.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 264 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: China, Hong Kong, Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Reported from India (Ref. 45255), Vietnam (Ref. 9706), Taiwan (Ref. 47843) and New Caledonia (Ref. 90102).
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 132-143. Description: Characterized by yellowish with 25-35 irregular brown bars on body; bars extending onto dorsal and anal fins; body depth at gill opening 17-26 in TL; relatively low dorsal fin, origin above or anterior to gill opening; anus anterior to middle of body; preanal length 2.1-2.4 in TL; single row of teeth on side of upper jaw ( inner row of 1-3 larger teeth in younger individuals); basal half of teeth is finely serrate (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found in mud bottoms adjacent to coastal reefs and mangrove estuaries in 0-264 m (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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