Fimbriated Moray
Gymnothorax fimbriatus
Quick Facts
- Size:
- up to 80 cm
- Depth:
- 1–45 m
- Family:
- Muraenidae
- Type:
- Fish
- Activity:
- nocturnal
- Habitat:
- Red Sea; Indian Ocean; Western Pacific Ocean
- Conservation status:
- Least Concern (LC) — not threatened with extinction according to IUCN assessment
The fimbriated moray (Gymnothorax fimbriatus), also known as the fimbriated moray.
This is a medium-sized moray, with a maximum length that can reach 80 cm. Its snake-like body has a white to cream to light brown background, dotted with numerous black spots, the size and shape of which depend on the individual and maturity. The head has a tapering snout of greenish-yellow color with black dots, the corners of the mouth are white.
Widely distributed in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, mainly on coastal reefs of oceanic islands from Madagascar to Polynesia and from southern Japan to New Caledonia.
It inhabits protected areas on outer slopes of coral reefs, on pinnacle reefs, in lagoons and harbors. During the day, it hides in crevices at depths from 1 to 45 meters.
It feeds mainly on small fish and crustaceans. It leaves its lair at night to actively hunt for prey along the reef.