Enchelycore bayeri (Schultz, 1953)
Bayer's moray
photo by Hazes, B.

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae
Max. size:  70 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 64 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: from the Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea, to French Polynesia; absent in the Hawaiian Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0; Vertebrae: 146-153. Narrow hooked jaws jammed full of long dagger-like teeth. Uniformly brown species. Description: Characterized by medium brown color with yellowish green margin posteriorly on fins; body depth at gill opening 12-27 in TL; origin of of dorsal fin above or slightly anterior to gill opening; anus anterior to middle of body; head and trunk (preanal length) 2.4-2.6 in TL; slender and hooked jaws; visible long canine teeth at gap between jaws when mouth closed and laterally viewed; alternating canines and small sharp teeth in jaws; upper jaw with inner row of large canines (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  A rare species that inhabits benches and seaward reefs. Secretive in reefs, sometimes seen at night (Ref. 48635). Feeds on fishes. May bite by accident or when provoked.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  traumatogenic


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 Not for publication.