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Shortfin false moray (Kaupichthys brachychirus) — Chlopsidae

Shortfin false moray

Kaupichthys brachychirus
Family: Chlopsidae

The Shortfin false moray (Kaupichthys brachychirus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chlopsidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–45.0 m
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The shortfin false moray is a small false moray (Chlopsidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a slender, snake-shaped, brownish, scaleless body resembling a small moray, but with short pectoral fins. As a cryptic reef-dweller it hides deep in crevices and cavities of coral and rocky reefs and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shortfin false moray?

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

Where does the Shortfin false moray live?

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

How big does the Shortfin false moray get?

The Shortfin false moray grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Shortfin false moray dangerous to humans?

No, the Shortfin false moray is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kortvin-valse murene sourced
English name
Shortfin false moray sourced
Scientific name
Kaupichthys brachychirus
Family
Chlopsidae
Other names
Shortfin false moray verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 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
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
45.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Kaupichthys

More from the family Chlopsidae

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