| Family: |
Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae |
| Max. size: |
50 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 40 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Marquesan and Society islands, north to the Philippines. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0; Vertebrae: 122-130. Color brown with about 4 longitudinal rows of dendritic black blotches; very fine white scribbling anteriorly on body and fins; behind eye an irregular black spot bordered above and below by white; pores on side of jaws in large white spots. Juveniles distinctly marked on the head and adults plain brown, but showing black barring posteriorly on the dorsal and anal fins on the tail (Ref. 48635).
Description: Characterized by body depth at gill opening 15-21 in TL; origin of dorsal fin closer to gill opening than corner of mouth; anus anterior to middle of body; preanal length 2.2-2.3 in TL; jaws with single row of canine teeth anteriorly; two elongate median canines in upper jaw; small sharp teeth on side of jaw, upper often with inner row of smaller canines (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Occurs in ledges and rubble areas of outer reef slopes to depths of at least 40 m. Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 89972). Usually in caves below 20 m (Ref. 9710, 58302). Secretive in reefs during the day, usually only seen at night (Ref. 48635). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 86942. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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