Family: |
Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Uropterygiinae |
Max. size: |
140 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 8 - 25 m |
Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Society Islands, north to the Philippines, Taiwan (Ref. 6934), and the Hawaiian Islands. Eastern Central Pacific: Mexico (including the Revillagigedo Islands), Costa Rica, and Panama (Ref. 9324). |
Diagnosis: |
Vertebrae: 166-174. Yellowish to russet brown, with yellow-edged black spots (Ref. 3257). Rounded snout and jaw speckled with black (Ref. 3257, 48635). Greatly reduced fin (Ref. 37816).
Description: Characterized by body depth at gill opening 24-34 in TL; anus well posterior, tail less than one-third TL; small sharp teeth in outer row of jaw; five rows of teeth across front of upper jaw, three middle rows each with three canines; inner row of 4-9 canines at side of upper jaw; inner row of front of lower jaw with 3-8 canines on each side (Ref. 90102). |
Biology: |
Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Found on sand and between rocks (Ref. 9324). Extremely secretive. Usually only seen at night (Ref. 48635). Benthic (Ref. 58302). |
IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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