Tessellate Moray, Gymnothorax favagineus Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Coral Eel, Giraffe Eel, Honeycomb Moray, Blackspotted Moray.
Click to enlarge image
© Andrew Green
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Gymnothorax
- Species
- favagineus
- Family
- Muraenidae
- Order
- Anguilliformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- The species grows to 1.8 m in length. There are unconfirmed reports of individuals up to 3 m long.
Introduction
The Tessellate Moray is grey to pale brown with black spots on the head, body and fins. The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West Pacific.
Identification
The Tessellate Moray is grey to pale brown with black spots on the head, body and fins. The spots become relatively smaller as the fish grows.
© Ulla Kofoed
Habitat
The species is found in depths from 1 m to at least 50 m.
Distribution
The Tessellate Moray occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West Pacific. In Australia it is known from north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to the central coast of New South Wales.
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
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Michael, S.W. 1998. Reef Fishes. Volume 1. A Guide to Their Identification, Behaviour, and Captive Care. Microcosm. Pp. 624.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
