| Family: |
Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae |
| Max. size: |
58 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: East Africa (Ref. 33390) and the Gulf of Aden to the Tuamotu Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0; Vertebrae: 126-134. Body pale brown, yellowish anteriorly (Ref. 3257). Its banded pattern similar to a sea snake (Ref. 48635).
Description: Characterized by whitish color; mottled grey brown dorsally; 17-21 black bars, narrower than pale interspaces, encircling body and head completely; body depth at gill opening 15-23 in TL; low dorsal fin, origin just anterior to gill opening; anus anterior to middle of body; single row of jaw teeth; three anterior canines on each side of upper jaw; additional three canines in median row (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Relatively uncommon in intertidal reefs. Found in shallow coastal reefs (Ref. 48635). Juveniles inhabit lagoons. Sometimes out during the day (Ref. 48635). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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