Anarchias similis (Lea, 1913)
Pygmy moray
photo by Carvalho Filho, A.

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Uropterygiinae
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 200 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Bermuda and southern Florida, USA (Ref. 7251) to southern Brazil (Ref. 26938). Eastern Atlantic: known only from Annobon Island, but likely to be present on other offshore islands in the Bay of Biafra (Ref. 4450). Northwest Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951).
Diagnosis:  Small, varies from uniformly dark brown to blotched. Irregular pattern of pale marks on lower side of head and chin (Ref. 26938).
Biology:  Occurs on shallow, poorly developed coral reefs to deep rocky slopes (Ref. 7251).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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