Enchelycore schismatorhynchus (Bleeker, 1853)
White-margined moray
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae
Max. size:  120 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 35 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: from the Red Sea, Mauritius, and Chagos Archipelago, to French Polynesia; absent from Hawaiian Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0; Vertebrae: 137-142. The longest canines of the lower jaw are confined to the anterior third of the toothed area. Coloration is a uniform tan with a conspicuous white margin on the fins. Description: Characterized by body depth at gill opening 14-23 in TL; relatively high dorsal fin; origin of dorsal fin about midway between corner of mouth and gill opening; anus anterior to middle of body; slender and hooked jaws; single row of three very long canines in front of upper jaw alternating with tiny teeth; median row of three elongate canines; side of jaw with inner row of lesser canines; front of lower jaw with outer row of small teeth inner row of three canines on each side; funnel-shaped tip of tubular anterior nostril (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occurs in lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Solitary in crevices, usually seen at night (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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