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Lipspot moray (Gymnothorax chilospilus) — Muraenidae

Lipspot moray

Gymnothorax chilospilus
Family: Muraenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Lipspot moray (Gymnothorax chilospilus) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 51 cm.

Length
50.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–45.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The lipspot moray is a moray from the Indo-Pacific, from South Africa and Oman to Hawaii and the Society Islands, north to Japan. The species grows to about 50 cm and has an elongate, snake-like, brown mottled body with dark spots on the lips, from which it takes its name. It lives on shallow reef flats, shelters by day in crevices and hunts small fish and crustaceans at night. Though not aggressive, it can bite if handled. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lipspot moray?

The Lipspot moray has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Lipspot moray live?

The Lipspot moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Lipspot moray get?

The Lipspot moray grows to a maximum of about 51 cm.

Is the Lipspot moray dangerous to humans?

No, the Lipspot moray is harmless to humans.

Is the Lipspot moray edible?

The Lipspot moray is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Lipvlek-murene verified
English name
Lipspot moray verified
Scientific name
Gymnothorax chilospilus
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Lipspot moray; Textile moray; White-lippe moray eel; White-lipped reef-eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.5 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
45.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gymnothorax

More from the family Muraenidae

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