Stout Moray, Gymnothorax eurostus (Abbot, 1860)

Scientific name: Gymnothorax eurostus
Alternative name/s:
Abbott's Moray, Indo-Pacific Stout Moray, Spotted Moray, White-speckled Moray
Stout Moray Click to enlarge image
A Stout Moray at a depth of 12m North Solitary Island, January 2001. Image: Ian Shaw
© Ian Shaw

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Gymnothorax
    Species
    eurostus
    Family
    Muraenidae
    Order
    Anguilliformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to around 50 cm in length.

Introduction

The Stout Moray is a shallow-water, inshore reef species, found in the Indo-Pacific including the east, west and northern coasts of Australia.

Identification

The Stout Moray is brown with yellow and black spots. Its colour is darker and there are more spots posteriorly. The tail is edged in white.

I.20268-023 - Gymnothorax eurostus
Stour Moray
Stout Moray

Distribution

It is known from numerous marine locations in the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it occurs from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to the northern 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

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  3. Bohlke, E.B. & J.E. McCosker. 2001. The moray eels of Australia and New Zealand, with the description of two new species (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae). Records of the Australian Museum. 53(1): 71-102.
  4. Coleman, N. 1981. Australian Sea Fishes North of 30oS. Doubleday. Pp. 297.
  5. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  6. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  7. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.