Gymnothorax moringa

(Cuvier, 1829)

Vernacular names
English : Spotted moray
French : Murène tachetée

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Anguilliformes
Family : Muraenidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a maximum length of 200 cm. Large moray species with fairly long jaws. Coloration is pale yellow to white with dark purplish to dark brown spots all around body, including head and fins. Big yellow eyes.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in western Atlantic ocean from North Carolina and Bermuda to Gulf of Mexico and Brazil. Also central and eastern Atlantic islands. Lives in coral reefs, rocky and grassy areas, down to 200 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is very common in suitable habitat within its large range. Potentially vulnerable to habitat destruction and pollution in the long term.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Morays and snake-morays” page