Scuticaria tigrina (Lesson, 1828)
Tiger reef-eel
photo by Field, R.

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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