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Highfin moray (Gymnothorax pseudothyrsoideus) — Muraenidae

Highfin moray

Gymnothorax pseudothyrsoideus
Family: Muraenidae

The Highfin moray (Gymnothorax pseudothyrsoideus) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 80 cm.

Length
80 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–20.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite

Description

The Highfin moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 80 cm and has a robust, snake-shaped, scaleless body. The brown body bears faint dark blotches and the dorsal fin starts high on the head. As a secretive reef predator it hides in crevices of coral and rocky reefs by day and seizes fish, crustaceans and squid at night. It bites fiercely when disturbed; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Highfin moray?

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

Where does the Highfin moray live?

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

How big does the Highfin moray get?

The Highfin moray grows to a maximum of about 80 cm.

Is the Highfin moray dangerous to humans?

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

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Valsgevlekte murene sourced
English name
Highfin moray sourced
Scientific name
Gymnothorax pseudothyrsoideus
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Highfin moray; Mottled moray-eel; Yellow-lined reef-eel verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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