Fimbriated moray

Fimbriated moray
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
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 dark-spotted 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).^[2] 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 is 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.^[3]^[4]^[5]

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.^[6]

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

^ Smith, D.G.; McCosker, J.; Tighe, K. (2019). "Gymnothorax fimbriatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T195727A2408650. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T195727A2408650.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^ Myers, R.F., 1991. Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p.
^ "DORIS - FFESSM - Biologie et plongée - Faune et flore sous-marines et dulcicoles". Archived from the original on 2015-01-13. Retrieved 2015-01-13.
^ 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: University 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

[1] Smith, D.G.; McCosker, J.; Tighe, K. (2019). "Gymnothorax fimbriatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T195727A2408650. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T195727A2408650.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.

[2] Myers, R.F., 1991. Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p.

[3] "DORIS - FFESSM - Biologie et plongée - Faune et flore sous-marines et dulcicoles". Archived from the original on 2015-01-13. Retrieved 2015-01-13.

[4] 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).

[5] 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.

[6] Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann, 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth, Australia: University of Hawai'i Press, Volumes I-III. Tropical Reef Research.

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