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Neglected moray (Gymnothorax neglectus) — Muraenidae

Neglected moray

Gymnothorax neglectus
Family: Muraenidae

The Neglected moray (Gymnothorax neglectus) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 120 cm.

Length
120 cm
Water
Saltwater
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Neglected moray is a moray eel (Muraenidae) from reef water of the northwest Pacific. The species grows to about 60 cm and has an elongate, muscular, scaleless, eel-like body without pectoral fins, a long dorsal fin margin and a strong mouth. As a nocturnal ambush predator it shelters by day with only its head out of a crevice and hunts fish and crustaceans by night. When disturbed or handled it can give a deep, tearing bite; keep hands out of crevices.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Neglected moray?

The Neglected moray has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Neglected moray live?

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

How big does the Neglected moray get?

The Neglected moray grows to a maximum of about 120 cm.

Is the Neglected moray dangerous to humans?

The Neglected moray can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans.

Is the Neglected moray edible?

Yes, the Neglected moray is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Verwaarloosde murene sourced
English name
Neglected moray sourced
Scientific name
Gymnothorax neglectus
Family
Muraenidae

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
120.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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
May bite verified

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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