Teleostei (teleosts) >
Anguilliformes (Eels and morays) >
Muraenidae (Moray eels) > Muraeninae
Etymology: Gymnothorax: Greek, gymnos = naked + Greek, thorax, -akos = breast (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Lacepède.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 40 m (Ref. 30573). Tropical
Western Indian Ocean: throughout the area, including the Red Sea.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 65.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9710)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Head brownish with conspicuous lines of black dots (Ref. 3257). Body lilac with brown marbling (Ref. 3257).
Body shape (shape guide): eel-like.
Found in shallow coastal waters, on coral and rocky reefs (Ref. 30573). Simultaneous hermaphroditism is confirmed for this species (Ref. 103751).
Simultaneous hermaphroditism is confirmed using good diagnostic criteria (Ref. 103751).
Böhlke, E.B. and J.E. Randall, 1999. Gymnothorax castlei, a new species of Indo-Pacific moray eel (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae). Raffles Bull. Zool. 47(2):549-554. (Ref. 35991)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
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