Anarchias seychellensis Smith, 1962
Seychelles moray
Anarchias seychellensis
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Uropterygiinae
Max. size:  29 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 35 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Easter Island, north to Marcus Island, south to Lord Howe and Rapa; Mariana and Marshall islands in Micronesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0; Vertebrae: 121-132. Presence of a row of irregular or stellate pale spots which tend to be larger than those of A. cantonensis. Description: Characterized by nearly uniform brown or mottled brown color with 3-4 horizontal rows of stellate, white blotches; white at lower part of head; yellow fins at tip of tail; body depth at gill opening 20-26 in TL; anus well anterior to middle of body, preanal length 2.2-2.5 in TL; two rows of jaw teeth; long and slender inner teeth; upper jaw with three median canines at front; anterior nostril in short tube; posterior nostril with low rim, above centre of eye; behind posterior nostril is a large sensory pore; fins restricted to end of tail; dorsal-fin origin slightly anterior to anal-fin origin (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Common among rubble, coralline algal debris, and coral heads of shallow wave-washed reefs (Ref. 1602, 58302). Benthic (Ref. 58302, 75154). Often found in tide pools. Sluggish eel (Ref. 1623), but may bite when provoked (Ref. 2334).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  traumatogenic


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