Gymnothorax moluccensis (Bleeker, 1864)
Moluccan moray
photo by Tonozuka, T.

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae
Max. size:  45 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 25 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea, Yemen, Thailand, Indonesia, and Coral Sea. Reported from Christmas Island (Indian Ocean) (Ref. 30874).
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 130-130. Plain brownish grey (Ref. 48635). Description: Characterized by brown color with numerous, inconspicuous white dots on most of body; body depth at gill opening about 17 in TL; origin of dorsal fin anterior to gill opening; anus distinctly posterior to middle of body; preanal length 1.9-2.0 in TL; without large canine teeth; triangular and backward projecting jaw teeth, conspicuously serrate on posterior edge; six intermaxillary teeth in outer row of each side, progressively larger posteriorly, and two in median line; 15 teeth in each side of upper jaw, decreasing in size posteriorly; 18 teeth on each side of lower jaw; small, conical vomerine teeth, biserial anteriorly, becoming uniserial posteriorly (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Secretive in coastal reefs and usually only seen out at night (Ref. 48635).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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