Teleostei (teleosts) >
Anguilliformes (Eels and morays) >
Muraenidae (Moray eels) > Muraeninae
Etymology: Gymnothorax: Greek, gymnos = naked + Greek, thorax, -akos = breast (Ref. 45335); ypsilon: ypsilon after the 20th letter of the Greek alphabet, in reference to the Y-shaped dark bars often found on this species (Ref. 10659).
More on authors: Hatooka & Randall.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range 110 - 185 m (Ref. 58302). Subtropical
Pacific Ocean: southern Japan and the Hawaiian Islands.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 89.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 35990); 77.6 cm TL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 151 - 154; Vertebrae: 141 - 153. A species of Gymnothorax of moderate length. Dorsal fin moderately high, its origin before gill opening. Anus before mid-body. Jaw teeth sharp and uniserial. Body creamy light brown with 26-35 distinct, narrow, dark crossbars extending onto fins (some bars on most specimens Y-shaped). Anterior part of head uniformly light brown. Anal fin with a white margin (Ref. 10659). MVF 5-56-149 (Ref. 35990).
Body shape (shape guide): eel-like.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Böhlke, E.B. and J.E. Randall, 2000. A review of the moray eels (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae) of the Hawaiian Islands, with descriptions of two new species. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 150:203-278. (Ref. 35990)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
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