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Blacktail moray (Gymnothorax kolpos) — Muraenidae

Blacktail moray

Gymnothorax kolpos
Family: Muraenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blacktail moray (Gymnothorax kolpos) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 91 cm.

Length
91 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–120.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The blacktail moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has a robust, snake-like, scaleless body with a continuous dorsal, tail and anal fin and a dark tail tip. It lives on offshore banks, where by day it hides in cracks and holes. As a nocturnal predator it hunts fishes and crustaceans. When disturbed it can bite sharply with sharp teeth.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blacktail moray?

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

Where does the Blacktail moray live?

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

How big does the Blacktail moray get?

The Blacktail moray grows to a maximum of about 91 cm.

Is the Blacktail moray dangerous to humans?

No, the Blacktail moray is harmless to humans.

Is the Blacktail moray edible?

The Blacktail moray is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Golf-murene sourced
English name
Blacktail moray verified
Scientific name
Gymnothorax kolpos
Family
Muraenidae

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
91.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
120.0 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
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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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