Fimbriate Moray, Gymnothorax fimbriatus (Bennett, 1832)

Scientific name: Gymnothorax fimbriatus
Alternative name/s:
Darkspotted Moray, Spot-face Moray
Fimbriate Moray, Gymnothorax fimbriatus Click to enlarge image
A Fimbriate Moray at a depth of 7m, Puerto Galera, Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands, April 2006. Image: Rod Andrewartha
© Rod Andrewartha

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Gymnothorax
    Species
    fimbriatus
    Family
    Muraenidae
    Order
    Anguilliformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to about 80 cm in length.

Introduction

The Fimbriate Moray is grey to light brown with rows of well separated dark brown blotches. It occurs in the tropical Indo-west Pacific.

Identification

The Fimbriate Moray is grey to light brown with rows of well separated dark brown blotches. The head is greenish-yellow dorsally. There is a large white spot at the rear of the lower jaw. A row of large canine teeth runs along the roof of the mouth.

Habitat

The species is found in coral reef and inshore waters.

Distribution

The Fimbriate Moray occurs in the tropical Indo-west Pacific. In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia and from northern to southern Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Randall, J.E. 2005. Reef and Shore Fishes of the South Pacific: New Caledonia to Tahiti and the Pitcairn Islands. University of Hawai’i Press. Pp. 584.
  3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.