Blackcheek moray eel

Blackcheek moray eel
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Muraenidae
Genus: Gymnothorax
Species: G. breedeni
Binomial name
Gymnothorax breedeni
McCosker & J. E. Randall, 1977

The blackcheek moray,Gymnothorax breedeni, is a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae.

Description

The blackcheek moray is a medium-sized fish that can reach a maximum length of 100 cm, but usually morays observed are often smaller.[1] The background body color is brown speckled in a relatively high density with dark spots. The moray is easily identifiable by the irregular black spot starting from the eye and finishing in the corner of the mouth. Otherwise, its anal orifice and its gills aperture are black.

Distribution and habitat

The blackcheek moray is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific area from eastern coast of Africa until oceanic islands from the Pacific Ocean like Polynesia but not Hawaii.[2][3] It is a very common moray on the Maldives reefs.

This moray likes reefs composed of rubble and debris of dead coral in which it finds its shelter, often on the outer slopes between 4 and 40 meters deep.[4][5]

Biology

The blackcheek moray is rather solitary and very territorial, it is likely to bite any foreign body entering its vigilance area.[6] It also lives in association with cleaner shrimps and the Anthias.[7]

It feeds on fish at night, when it comes out of its lair.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Allen, G.R. and R.C. Steene, 1988. Fishes of Christmas Island Indian Ocean. Christmas Island Natural History Association, Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, 6798, Australia. 197 p.
  2. ↑ http://doris.ffessm.fr/fiche2.asp?fiche_numero=1741
  3. ↑ Kuiter, R.H. 1998 Photo guide to fishes of the Maldives. Atoll Editions, Victoria, Australia. 257 p.
  4. ↑ Allen, G.R. and R.C. Steene 1988 Fishes of Christmas Island Indian Ocean. Christmas Island Natural History Association, Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, 6798, Australia. 197 p.
  5. ↑ Kuiter, R.H. 1998 Photo guide to fishes of the Maldives. Atoll Editions, Victoria, Australia. 257 p.
  6. ↑ Kuiter, R.H., 1998. Photo guide to fishes of the Maldives. Atoll Editions, Victoria, Australia. 257 p.
  7. ↑ Myers, R.F., 1999. Micronesian reef fishes: a comprehensive guide to the coral reef fishes of Micronesia, 3rd revised and expanded edition. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 330 p.
  8. ↑ http://doris.ffessm.fr/fiche2.asp?fiche_numero=1741#

External links

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