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Yellow-spotted moray (Echidna xanthospilos) — Muraenidae

Yellow-spotted moray

Echidna xanthospilos
Family: Muraenidae

The Yellow-spotted moray (Echidna xanthospilos) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 75 cm.

Length
75 cm
Water
Saltwater
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
May bite

Description

The Yellow-spotted moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 75 cm and has a robust, snake-shaped, scaleless body. The dark body bears conspicuous yellow blotches. Unlike many morays it has blunt, pebble-like teeth for crushing shellfish. As a secretive reef predator it hides in crevices by day and hunts crabs and shrimp at night. It can bite when disturbed; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellow-spotted moray?

The Yellow-spotted moray has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Yellow-spotted moray live?

The Yellow-spotted moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Yellow-spotted moray get?

The Yellow-spotted moray grows to a maximum of about 75 cm.

Is the Yellow-spotted moray dangerous to humans?

The Yellow-spotted moray can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geelvlek-murene sourced
English name
Yellow-spotted moray sourced
Scientific name
Echidna xanthospilos
Family
Muraenidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
75.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
May bite verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Echidna

More from the family Muraenidae

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