Gymnothorax monochrous (Bleeker, 1856)
Drab moray
photo by Winterbottom, R.

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae
Max. size:  80 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 20 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to the Marshall Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia. Likely to occur in Seychelles (Ref. 1623).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0; Vertebrae: 134-145. Chestnut brown species that becomes darker posteriorly. Differs from the uniformly brown G. pindae by lacking the fine serrations on the posterior edges of the lower jaw teeth and by having a mouth that may not quite close completely. Description: Characterized by body depth at gill opening 19-22 in TL; origin of dorsal fin midway between corner of mouth and gill opening; anus anterior to middle of body; preanal length about 2.1 in TL; compressed teeth in single row in jaws; 2-4 canines in upper jaw anteriorly; median row of long canines (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits relatively turbid areas of sheltered lagoon reefs (Ref. 1602, 37816). Including mangroves in 1-20 m (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.