Gymnothorax castlei Böhlke & Randall, 1999
Castle's moray
Gymnothorax castlei
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae
Max. size:  22.9 cm TL (male/unsexed); 25 cm TL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 18 - 21 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Philippines, Indonesia, and on the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 118-124. Moderately small species with uniform tan or brown coloration, marked with small black spots forming lines on head and a single row of spots and dashes along the lateral midline of the body and tail; body moderately elongate; anus well before midbody; head and jaws short; teeth numerous, short and rounded, maxillary and vomerine teeth biserial; MVF 5-48-120.
Biology:  Minimum depth from Ref. 58018. Secretive in reef crevices, not usually seen in the open (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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