Enchelycore nigricans (Bonnaterre, 1788)
Viper moray
Enchelycore nigricans
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/B. Alenda

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae
Max. size:  100 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 1,320.0 g
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 60 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Bermuda, southern Florida (USA) and the Bahamas to northern South America, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean (Ref. 3255). Eastern Atlantic: Cape Verde and from Senegal to Gabon; including St. Paul's Rocks (Ref. 13121) and the islands of Bay of Biafra (Ref. 4450). Also southern Atlantic islands (Ref. 26938).
Diagnosis:  With arched jaws that touch only at their tips when mouth is closed (Ref. 26938).
Biology:  A benthic and solitary species (Ref. 26340) common on shallow reefs and along rocky shores. Caught incidentally and consumed fresh or salted in some localities (Ref. 3255).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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