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Dark spotted moray (Gymnothorax fimbriatus) — Muraenidae

Dark spotted moray

Gymnothorax fimbriatus
Family: Muraenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Dark spotted moray (Gymnothorax fimbriatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 93 cm.

Length
93.4 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The fimbriated moray is a moray eel (Muraenidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 80 cm and has an elongate, eel-like, pale body with rows of dark blotches and a yellow-green head. It inhabits lagoons, reef flats and seaward reefs and prefers protected inshore waters among dead coral, often in harbours and small caves. It is probably nocturnal and hunts fishes and crustaceans. Morays are not aggressive, but the sharp teeth can give a nasty bite if handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dark spotted moray?

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

Where does the Dark spotted moray live?

The Dark spotted moray lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Dark spotted moray get?

The Dark spotted moray grows to a maximum of about 93 cm.

Is the Dark spotted moray dangerous to humans?

No, the Dark spotted moray is harmless to humans.

Is the Dark spotted moray edible?

The Dark spotted moray is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gefranjerde murene sourced
English name
Dark spotted moray verified
Scientific name
Gymnothorax fimbriatus
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Darkspotted moray; Fimbriate moray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
93.4 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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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