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Tidepool snake moray (Uropterygius micropterus) — Muraenidae

Tidepool snake moray

Uropterygius micropterus
Family: Muraenidae

The Tidepool snake moray (Uropterygius micropterus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 37 cm.

Length
37.3 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–? m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite

Description

The tidepool snake moray is a small moray (Muraenidae) from coastal and tidal water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 37 cm and has an elongate, snake-shaped, brownish, scaleless body with strongly reduced fins. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it hides by day among stones and in crevices of tide pools and shallow reefs and hunts small crustaceans and small fish at night. It bites when disturbed; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tidepool snake moray?

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

Where does the Tidepool snake moray live?

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

How big does the Tidepool snake moray get?

The Tidepool snake moray grows to a maximum of about 37 cm.

Is the Tidepool snake moray dangerous to humans?

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

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kortvin-slangmurene sourced
English name
Tidepool snake moray sourced
Scientific name
Uropterygius micropterus
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Shortfinned reef-eel; Tidepool snake moray verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 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 Uropterygius

More from the family Muraenidae

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