Fimbriated moray
| Fimbriated moray | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Muraenidae |
| Genus: | Gymnothorax |
| Species: | G. fimbriatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Gymnothorax fimbriatus (E. T. Bennett, 1832)
| |
The fimbriated moray (Gymnothorax fimbriatus) also known as darkspotted moray or spot-face moray is a moray eel of the family Muraenidae.
Description
Gymnothorax fimbriatus is a medium-sized moray which can reach a maximum length of 80 centimetres (31 in).[1] Its serpentine in shape body has a white cream to light brown background color dotted with numerous black spots which latter vary in size and shape depending on the individual and maturity. Its head has a tapered snout and it's greenish yellow with black dots, the corners of the mouth are white.
Distribution and habitat
The spot-face moray is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific area, mainly on the coastal reefs of oceanic islands from Madagascar to Polynesia and from south Japan to New Caledonia.[2][3][4]
It lives in protected areas on the outer slopes of coral reefs, top reefs, lagoons and harbors. During the day, it sits sheltered in crevices between 1 and 50 metres (3–164 ft) deep.[5]
Biology
The fimbriated moray is carnivorous, it leaves its lair at night to actively hunt its preys along the reef. It feeds mainly on small fish and crustaceans.
References
- ^ Myers, R.F., 1991. Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-01-13. Retrieved 2015-01-13.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Masuda, H., K. Amaoka, C. Araga, T. Uyeno and T. Yoshino, 1984. The fishes of the Japanese Archipelago. Vol. 1. Tokai University Press, Tokyo, Japan. 437 p. (text).
- ^ Chen, H.-M., K.-T. Shao and C.T. Chen, 1994. A review of the muraenid eels (Family Muraenidae) from Taiwan with descriptions of twelve new records. Zool. Stud. 33(1):44-64.
- ^ Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann, 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth, Australia: Universitiy of Hawai'i Press, Volumes I-III. Tropical Reef Research.
External links
- http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217499
- http://www.fishbase.org/summary/6495
- Photos of Fimbriated moray on Sealife Collection
